Michigan Gov.Gretchen Whitmer on Friday endorsed Rep.
Haley Stevens ahead of the state’s U.S.Senate Democratic primary.Stevens, a more centrist candidate, and progressive Dr.
Abdul El-Sayed are considered the front-runners in the race as early voting starts on Saturday.Whitmer’s endorsement could give Stevens a boost in a state where the governor twice won by considerable margins.DEMOCRATS' CIVIL WAR HEADS TO MICHIGAN WHERE PROGRESSIVES FACE BIGGEST TEST YET IN HIGH-STAKES SENATE SHOWDOWNRep.Haley Stevens, D-Mich., speaks with media after a debate at WoodTV studios on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich.
(AP Photo/Kristen Norman)The governor also beat El-Sayed in the Democratic primary for governor in 2018.Whitmer told supporters at a Teamsters hall in Detroit on Friday that Stevens has "what it takes to win" while appearing with her and South Carolina Rep.Jim Clyburn."Michiganders need a fighter in Washington and there are few leaders with more fight in ’em than Haley Stevens," Whitmer said at the event.SWING-STATE POLL SPELLS TROUBLE FOR FAR LEFT AS SCHUMER-BACKED CANDIDATE DOMINATES WITH CRITICAL VOTING BLOCSStevens, who flipped a Republican House seat in 2018, is also backed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Sen.
Gary Peters, a two-term Democrat who is retiring from the seat.Michigan Gov.Gretchen Whitmer delivers the State of the State address at the Michigan state Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Feb.
25, 2026.(Devin Anderson-Torrez/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP)Sen.
Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and New York Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are backing El-Sayed."The corporate establishment has closed ranks and made their pick – now, Michigan voters will get to make theirs," Roxie Richner, a spokesperson for El-Sayed, told the Associated Press.JEWISH MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS ADMIT THEY WILL VOTE REPUBLICAN IF ABDUL EL-SAYED BECOMES NOMINEEFrom left foreground, U.S.
Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Michigan Democratic U.S.
Senate primary...