Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed Democrat Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) for the state’s Senate seat over socialist Abdul El-Sayed.
Michigan voters on August 4 will decide whether Stevens or El-Sayed faces off against Republican Mike Rogers on November 3, 2026. Stevens is somewhat of a moderate Democrat who is supported by the establishment, while El-Sayed is a far-left Democratic Socialist who wants to enact healthcare for all, abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and give universal basic income.
I am absolutely thrilled to have Gov @GretchenWhitmer’s endorsement for U.S. Senate. She is a champion for our state, she understands the stakes of this race and why it’s so important we elect the strongest Dem in this primary, and she gets stuff done for Michigan. Let’s go win! pic.twitter.com/NfFtlD2IWu
— Haley Stevens (@HaleyforMI) July 24, 2026
Michigan Gov. Whitmer says Stevens knows how to get things done. pic.twitter.com/MztSWSCleq
— Sam Robinson (@samueljrob) July 24, 2026
Governor Whitmer and I agree: Haley Stevens is the strongest candidate to win in November. She’s tough, she's determined, and she will be ready on day 1 to deliver results for Michiganders. Let's get it done! https://t.co/oSdHljDl5h
— Gary Peters (@GaryPeters) July 24, 2026
The late endorsement could push Democrat voters toward Haley over El-Sayed. Last weekend, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) held rallies in Michigan to support El-Sayed.
BREAKING: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially endorses Haley Stevens over Abdul El-Sayed for Michigan Senate.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) July 24, 2026
Stevens surges to a 36% chance to win. pic.twitter.com/D7oYAbLRSe
Notable endorsements – MI Dem Senate primary (El-Sayed vs Stevens)
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 24, 2026
ABDUL EL-SAYED
• Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT)
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA)
• Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD)
• Sen. Tina Smith (MN)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY)
• Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI)
• Rep. Ilhan Omar… https://t.co/Rsn4Hpnv3r pic.twitter.com/XAEn0jh7A0
Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate while Democrats hold 45 and independents hold two seats.
My assumption is that Whitmer has seen data that leads her to believe this endorsement will put Stevens over the finish line.
— Jesse Arm (@Jesse_Leg) July 24, 2026
Hard to imagine the governor going out on a limb like this for a candidate she isn't confident will win on August 4th. https://t.co/m33WZyE3wA
Breaking: Whitmer makes a late endorsement in the Senate race for Haley Stevens (and against Abdul El-Sayed who ran against her in the 2018 primary). pic.twitter.com/Wn9fVfQPOk
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) July 24, 2026