Former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced in a video this week she is endorsing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens for Michigan’s opening U.S. Senate seat.
Stevens is considered the more politically moderate candidate out of her opponents, former Detroit and Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow.
The race between Michigan’s Democratic Senate candidates has the attention of the country ahead of a consequential midterm election this November that will determine the control of Congress.
Michigan Republicans believe this year is their best chance to send someone from their party to the U.S. Senate. Sen. Gary Peters retiring opens another seat, after Stabenow decided to retire in 2025. The party hasn’t elected one of their own to the U.S. Senate to represent Michigan since Spencer Abraham in 1992, who was defeated by Stabenow six years later.
“Haley was born and raised in Michigan. She is Michigan through and through, and we’ve been partners ever since she was President Obama’s Chief of Staff for the auto rescue,” Stabenow said.
“Given what’s at stake right now in Michigan, it’s just too important for me to sit out” Stabenow said in her endorsement of Stevens, adding that she believes she is the best candidate to defeat former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who is the Republican primary frontrunner.
“Senator Stabenow knows what it takes to win in Michigan and deliver for Michigan, and I’ll continue the incredible work she did for our state in the Senate,” Stevens said. “I’m honored and humbled to have her on my side in this campaign.”
McMorrow’s campaign poured cold water on the endorsement.
“With nothing but respect for the former senator, she is supporting the type of campaign that may have won in Michigan in decades past, but we are in a different moment and we need new leaders who are ready to meet it,” a spokesperson for McMorrow’s campaign said.
Stevens campaign was also endorsed this week by the Detroit-based Original Eastside Slate, a group of community organizers who engage in voter mobilization led by Carl Colins and Carol Banks. Last year, the group endorsed Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield ahead of her historic election victory.
“I am absolutely honored to receive the endorsement of the Original Eastside Slate,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “Detroit needs a champion in the U.S. Senate, and the Original Eastside Slate knows what I’ve always believed: when we invest in workers and fight for the people who keep this state moving, Michigan wins. I’m proud to stand with them in this fight for Michigan’s future.”
The Black Slate, another Detroit-based voter mobilization group, endorsed El-Sayed on Tuesday, telling Michigan Chronicle he was the best candidate to represent the interest of Black Detroiters.
The Black Slate endorsed Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. in last year’s mayoral race.
