Outgoing Michigan Senator Gary Peters announced his endorsement of U.S. Representative Haley Stevens on Monday, signaling a significant shift in the state’s contentious Democratic primary. Peters, who is retiring after 12 years in the Senate, previously stated in May that he intended to remain neutral in the race to succeed him.
The endorsement comes less than a month before the August 4 primary, as Democratic leadership increasingly consolidates support behind Stevens, a four-term House member campaigning on a moderate platform. Party officials have expressed concerns that her primary challenger, Abdul El-Sayed, may struggle to win over swing voters in the general election, a critical factor in Democrats’ efforts to maintain their Senate majority.
“Senator Peters knows what it takes to win in Michigan,” Stevens said in a statement following the announcement. “I am honored to have his support.”
The primary has narrowed to a head-to-head contest following the withdrawal of state Senator Mallory McMorrow earlier this month. The race has become a focal point for the broader ideological debate within the Democratic Party. Stevens has secured backing from high-profile figures including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, while El-Sayed continues to draw support from progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders.
The campaign has been marked by heated exchanges, with both candidates trading accusations regarding campaign tactics and financial disclosures. The eventual Democratic nominee is expected to face former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination, in what is projected to be one of the most competitive and expensive Senate races in the country.