- Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm endorses Haley Stevens in US Senate race
- Granholm, who also served as US secretary of energy under then-President Joe Biden, cited Stevens’ ‘Michigan grit’ and record in US House
- Stevens is in a three-way Democratic primary with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm is endorsing US Rep. Haley Stevens for US Senate, throwing her political weight behind the Michigan Democrat in the state’s heavily contested primary.
Stevens’ “Michigan grit,” along with her work in both Congress and on former President Barack Obama’s auto task force, makes her the ideal candidate to win the seat in November, Granholm said in a statement first shared with Bridge Michigan.
“Michigan’s next senator needs to focus on Michigan jobs, Michigan manufacturing, bringing down costs for Michigan families and standing up for Michigan against Donald Trump’s recklessness,” added Granholm, who served as US secretary of energy under former President Joe Biden.
“That’s Haley Stevens.”
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It’s the latest high-profile Michigan endorsement for Stevens, who is locked in a tough, three-way Democratic primary against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County public health official Abdul El-Sayed.
Former US Sen. Debbie Stabenow endorsed Stevens earlier this month.
State and national observers alike have called the primary race among the most consequential in the country and an opportunity for Michigan Democrats to help define the party’s future.
Whoever wins in August will take on the Republican nominee in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Mike Rogers, the heavy GOP favorite, narrowly lost to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024 and is facing little competition in the primary.
The November general election is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country, and holding the seat is critical for Democrats hoping to flip the Senate during the last two years of Trump’s term.
The Michigan race is one of three true “toss-ups” nationally, according to the Cook Political Report, and the only one of those without an incumbent defending their seat.
Peters, Slotkin and some other prominent Michigan Democratic officeholders like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer haven’t endorsed in the primary, nor have key union groups like the United Auto Workers.
McMorrow has secured endorsements from Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and US Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, among others. El-Sayed’s backers include Michigan US Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Citing Stevens’ work on the Obama administration’s auto rescue, Granholm said she thinks the Birmingham Democrat is best poised to protect the auto industry from both China and Trump administration tariffs — and defeat Rogers, who has praised Trump’s economic strategy.
“Haley delivers for Michigan and will beat Mike Rogers this November, and I couldn’t be more proud to support her,” Granholm said.
Stevens returned the compliment. In a statement, she called Granholm a “champion for Michigan workers” and a “trailblazer,” adding she is “thrilled” to have the former governor “by my side in this campaign as I take on the damage Donald Trump is doing to our state and our workers.”
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