Former Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow threw her weight behind Representative Haley Stevens on Wednesday in the state's competitive Democratic Senate primary, offering a significant boost to Stevens's campaign as the race enters its final stretch.
In a video released by Stevens's campaign, Stabenow said she was endorsing the congresswoman because she knows Stevens will fight for Michigan families, echoing her own four-term tenure in the Senate. Stabenow retired in January 2025, and Senator Elissa Slotkin now holds her seat.
Stabenow highlighted her long-standing relationship with Stevens, noting they worked together on former President Obama's auto industry task force before Stevens entered Congress in 2019. “Haley has the track record and the Michigan grit to lower costs and get things done for Michigan families,” Stabenow said in the video. She also emphasized Stevens's electability, claiming she “can beat” former Representative Mike Rogers, the front-runner in the Republican primary.
The endorsement comes as Michigan Democrats face a high-stakes primary to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters. The winner will likely face a tough general election contest in a state that has become a critical battleground. Stabenow's backing could help consolidate support behind Stevens, who is trailing in recent polls.
Stevens is one of three Democrats vying for the nomination. Former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed has secured the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders, while state Senator Mallory McMorrow has the backing of Senator Elizabeth Warren. The progressive wing of the party remains divided, with El-Sayed and McMorrow drawing support from different factions.
A February Emerson College/WOOD-TV poll showed El-Sayed and McMorrow each at 24 percent among likely primary voters, with Stevens at 13 percent and 36 percent undecided. That marked a decline for Stevens from January, when she had 17 percent support in a similar poll. The primary election is set for August 4, with early voting running from July 25 through August 2.
Stevens, in a statement, called Stabenow “one of the greatest champions for Michigan” and said she would continue the senator's work on manufacturing, Great Lakes protection, and clean water. “Senator Stabenow knows what it takes to win in Michigan and deliver for Michigan,” Stevens added.
The race has drawn national attention as Democrats seek to hold the seat in a state that has swung between parties in recent elections. The Republican primary, led by Rogers, is also competitive, with the eventual nominee set to face the Democratic winner in a November general election that could determine control of the Senate.
