Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the state’s open U.S. Senate race, calling the Democrat an effective leader with a proven record of delivering results for Michigan.
Whitmer’s endorsement on Friday (July 24) comes as Democrats prepare for a competitive race to succeed U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, who is stepping down at the end of his term.
“During my eight years as governor, we’ve faced tough challenges. But my north star has always been to get stuff done for Michigan,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I know that’s Haley Stevens’ guiding light too, which is why I am so proud to endorse her for U.S. Senate.”
Whitmer praised Stevens’ experience, including her role as chief of staff on former President Barack Obama’s auto rescue effort and her work in Congress.
“With the great Gary Peters stepping down, Michigan needs an effective fighter to step up and deliver for our state in the U.S. Senate,” Whitmer said. “That’s Haley Stevens. From serving as Chief of Staff on President Obama’s auto rescue, to being named the most effective Michigan Democrat in Congress, Haley knows how to get things done for Michigan. She’ll be ready to deliver on day one on manufacturing, lowering costs, and protecting our health care and Social Security.”
Stevens called Whitmer a role model and credited the governor with leading the state through significant challenges while supporting Michigan’s manufacturing economy and workforce.
“Governor Whitmer has been a role model for so many Michiganders, myself included,” Stevens said. “She’s led our state through some of our hardest challenges, always delivering for our manufacturing economy, our auto industry, and our workers.”
Stevens added that Whitmer “embodies what it means to be ‘that woman from Michigan’” and said she was honored to receive the governor’s endorsement.
The endorsement highlights the two Democrats’ shared work on several policy priorities, including efforts to strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing sector, lower prescription drug costs and expand health care access.
Stevens and Whitmer also pointed to their support for the CHIPS and Science Act, which they said has helped attract manufacturing investments, create jobs, strengthen the domestic semiconductor industry and support Michigan’s automotive sector.
They also highlighted their partnership on implementing gun violence prevention measures and efforts to reduce prescription drug costs by taking on pharmaceutical companies.
Whitmer’s backing gives Stevens the support of one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent governors as she seeks to succeed Peters in representing Michigan in the U.S. Senate.
“The corporate establishment has closed ranks and made their pick – now, Michigan voters will get to make theirs,” said Roxie Richner, El-Sayed campaign spokesperson.
“Establishment Democrats are beyond panicked, and Gretchen Whitmer’s endorsement of Haley Stevens proves it.
However, Whitmer closing ranks behind Stevens does not change the fact that she is every bit as extreme as Abdul El-Sayed — she supports the same job-killing EV mandates, hiking taxes on working families, allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports, and dangerous policies that weaken law enforcement.
Michiganders won’t be fooled into believing Haley Stevens is any less radical than Abdul El-Sayed.
Their policies are indistinguishable, and either one would advance the same far-left agenda that would be devastating for Michigan.”
Michigan Republican Party Senior Communications Advisor Greg Manz