Michigan Governor Whitmer endorses Rep. Haley Stevens in Democratic Senate primary

Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a video on X endorsing Rep. Haley Stevens for the U.S. Senate, saying her “one strategy: Get things done” guides the endorsement. Whitmer added that Stevens, like herself, will “do whatever it takes to get things done for the people of Michigan.”

The endorsement comes as the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, scheduled for Aug. 4, pits Stevens against former public-health official Abdul El-Sayed, whom Whitmer defeated in the 2018 gubernatorial primary. Early voting began Saturday, with mail-in ballots already being counted.

Whitmer is expected to campaign with Stevens at an event in Detroit that also includes Rep. Jim Clyburn. Stevens expressed enthusiasm for the governor’s support, describing Whitmer as “a champion for our state” who understands the stakes of the race.

Polls show Whitmer retains a favorable approval rating among Michigan voters, and a recent survey of likely Democratic primary voters indicated that an endorsement from the governor could sway undecided voters. The same poll found the race between Stevens and El-Sayed to be closely divided, with roughly one-third of respondents saying they would “definitely” support each candidate.

El-Sayed’s campaign has highlighted endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Republican officials have framed Whitmer’s endorsement as evidence of Democratic establishment involvement in the contest.