WASHINGTON, D.C. – Outgoing Michigan Senator Gary Peters (D- MI) announced he’s backing US Representative Haley Stevens (D- MI) in the competitive US Senate Democratic primary race. There’s been a rise in progressive Democrats winning their party’s nominations for other races in New York City and Colorado and this Michigan Senate primary race is shaping up to be a race between moderate and progressive candidates.
Stevens is a current US House member. She has campaigned as a more moderate democrat, focusing on manufacturing issues. Along with her endorsement from Senator Peters, she has also won the endorsement of more mainstream democrats like former Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow. Her primary opponent, Abdul El- Sayed, a former public health official, is campaigning on a more progressive platform and focusing on things like Medicare for All. El – Sayed has won the endorsement from more progressive democrats, like Senator Bernie Sanders (I- VT).
Initially Senator Peters said he was not going to weigh in on this competitive race but is now endorsing Stevens ahead of the August primary.
“She is a person who won very tough elections,” said Sen. Peters. “This is a time where we have to make sure we win. We need to have a battle-tested candidate and someone who can get elected to the Senate and hit the ground running on day one.”
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the Trump-backed Republican candidate Mike Rogers, a former US Representative. Democrats are already facing an uphill battle in their attempt to reclaim the Senate and Michigan is going to be a big battleground state in the fight to control the Senate.
