Former House Majority Whip and one of the longest-serving Black members of the U.S. House of Representatives Jim Clyburn has endorsed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s race for the U.S. Senate, adding the support of one of the nation’s most influential Democratic leaders to her growing coalition.
The endorsement comes as Stevens continues to build support across the state ahead of the Democratic primary on Aug. 4, with her campaign emphasizing manufacturing, labor, and economic issues, while positioning her candidacy as focused on taking on President Donald Trump.
Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat whose decades of leadership in Congress and within the Congressional Black Caucus have made him one of the party’s most respected voices, said Stevens has demonstrated a record of delivering results for Michigan workers and families.
The endorsement from Clyburn adds another nationally recognized Democratic figure to the list of supporters backing Stevens’ Senate bid. Throughout his congressional career, Clyburn has been a leading voice on voting rights, civil rights, economic opportunity, and expanding political participation, while serving in senior House Democratic leadership positions and helping shape national Democratic priorities.
“I’ve been proud to have Haley by my side through some of the toughest fights against Donald Trump and fighting to lower costs for working families,” Clyburn said in a statement to Michigan Chronicle. “From taking on Big Pharma to cap the cost of prescription drugs to bringing back good-paying union manufacturing jobs to Michigan to her work as Chief of Staff on President Barack Obama’s auto rescue, helping save 200,000 Michigan auto jobs, Haley is a fighter for Michigan, and she delivers for Michigan. I’m honored to endorse her campaign for U.S. Senate.”
Stevens welcomed the endorsement, describing Clyburn as a national leader whose support carries significant meaning as she campaigns statewide.
“Jim Clyburn is a civil rights icon, a historic leader, someone who knows how to take on Donald Trump, and I could not be more honored to have his support for my campaign for U.S. Senate,” said Stevens. “This race is about winning for Michigan, protecting our manufacturing economy, lowering costs, and taking on Donald Trump’s chaos. Jim Clyburn knows what it takes to win tough fights, which is why I’m honored to have him on my team.”
Clyburn has maintained a visible presence in Detroit during 2026. In April, he appeared at Fellowship Chapel on the city’s west side for a conversation about his book, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation. Stevens introduced Clyburn onto the stage at the event, which brought together community members to discuss the history of Black political leadership, civil rights, and civic engagement as part of his national book tour.
The endorsement also adds to the expanded support for Stevens from organized labor and elected officials across Michigan.
The Stevens campaign says she has secured more union endorsements than any candidate in the Democratic Senate race. Those endorsements include: the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters, Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, United Steelworkers, Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43, Michigan Teamsters Local 299, Michigan Laborers District Council, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Operating Engineers Local 324, SMART Local 292, Boilermakers Local 169, Sheet Metal Workers Local 80, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2, Plumbers Local 98, Iron Workers Local 25, Teamsters Local 243, UNITE HERE Local 24, Michigan Machinists Council, and Pipefitters, Steamfitters, and the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Local Union 636.
The campaign has also assembled endorsements from several prominent Democratic leaders, including U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, community leader Colleen Ochoa Peters, former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, and multiple members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Stevens has frequently highlighted her work on manufacturing and the auto industry during her time in public service, with TV advertisements currently running about her role as Chief of Staff to the federal auto rescue task force during the Obama administration more than 15 years ago. Her campaign says she helped preserve approximately 200,000 Michigan auto jobs.
Since joining Congress, Stevens has focused much of her legislative agenda on manufacturing, supply chains, workforce development, and policies affecting Michigan’s industrial economy.
Stevens’ campaign says its growing list of endorsements reflects continued momentum as it builds a statewide operation. Campaign officials have pointed to labor support, endorsements from current and former elected officials, and backing from community leaders as part of an effort to organize voters across Michigan.
