Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is putting her name behind District 3 state Senate candidate Korey Hall, a member of her administration, and one of the 10 people running to represent Detroit’s east side in the state Legislature.
“I’m Big Gretch and I’m standing tall with Korey Hall,” Whitmer said in a video. “Vote for Korey Hall for the state Senate District 3.”
In a statement, Whitmer said she is proud to endorse Hall and is confident in his ability to serve in Lansing.
“In my administration, as Director of Community Affairs, he engaged directly with leaders and residents across Michigan to ensure that communities had an influential voice in government. He possesses the skills necessary to unite people. address challenges, and advocate for working families.”
It’s a notable endorsement for Hall, who is running against someone the governor has also worked closely with, Adam Hollier.
Whitmer appointed Hollier to lead the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in January 2023. Hollier served in the role until late 2023 when he resigned to pursue a campaign for Congress.
Hall has worn many hats over his time working in government and for nonprofits. He’s worked in the governor’s office since 2020, leading the Executive Office of the Governor’s Detroit office. Within the governor’s office, Hall said he has worked with Detroit’s community intervention groups, who have been advocating for greater state level funding.
While working for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Hall helped create the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches SNAP/Bridge Card purchases dollar-for-dollar up to $50 per day.
He spent several years with the Detroit Branch NAACP building out the organization’s field operation. When he started in 2003, Hall said advocates were fighting to regain local control of Detroit’s school board.
He told the Michigan Chronicle in an interview he would advocate for the city of Detroit “with no apologies.”
“I think that means having to work across the aisle to get things done,” Hall said. “I will do that.”
He faces seven other candidates other than Hollier; Mohammed Alam; John Conyers III, LaTanya Garrett, Gary Hunter, Kimberly Hill Knott, Toinu Reeves, Abraham Shaw and Eboni Taylor.
Taylor last month earned the endorsement of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Taylor is also endorsed by state Sen. Stephanie Chang, who currently represents the east side district that stretches past Hamtramck and Highland Park. Chang is term-limited.
Hollier is the only candidate who has been making his campaign visible to voters through paid billboards. The former state Senator is vying to re-enter the Legislature’s upper chamber after a failed run for Congress in 2024. He ran for the same 13th Congressional District seat this year, but dropped out to run for Secretary of State. Hollier dropped his bid for Secretary of State after Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist entered that race.
