Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Representative Haley Stevens on Friday in Michigan’s hotly contested Democratic Senate primary race, seen as a major test of the Democratic Party’s direction.
The endorsement from Ms. Whitmer, a popular governor and one of the country’s highest-profile Democrats, arrived 11 days ahead of the primary. Ms. Stevens, a centrist and a favorite of the Democratic establishment, is working to fend off Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former health official running with support from left-wing leaders including Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Ms. Stevens has promised to offer an antidote to chaos on Washington, while Dr. El-Sayed has vowed to fight the political system and pursue ambitious policies including universal health care.
They have starkly different positions on Israel: Ms. Stevens has described herself as a “proud pro-Israel Democrat.” Dr. El-Sayed has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
The winner of the primary is expected to face former Representative Mike Rogers, a Republican, in one of the country’s most competitive Senate battlegrounds in November.
In a video statement, Ms. Whitmer compared herself to Ms. Stevens, saying, “Just like me, Haley will do whatever it takes to get things done for the people of Michigan.”
“We need her now more than ever,” Ms. Whitmer said. “Republicans in D.C. are making your life harder and more expensive. Tariffs. Cuts to Medicaid. Soaring gas prices. It’s all piling on. Luckily, Haley is taking them on.”
Ms. Whitmer, who defeated Dr. El-Sayed in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor in Michigan, also said Ms. Stevens “is as Michigan as it gets.”
The governor’s endorsement could be a boost for Ms. Stevens, who trails Dr. El-Sayed in some polls ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. A recent Detroit News/WDIV survey found that 52 percent of Michigan voters said they approved of Ms. Whitmer, compared with 39 percent who said they did not.
In a social media post, Ms. Stevens said she was “absolutely thrilled” to have the governor’s endorsement, calling Ms. Whitmer a “champion for our state” who “understands the stakes of this race.”
A spokeswoman for Dr. El-Sayed, Roxie Richner, said in a statement that the “corporate establishment has closed ranks and made their pick — now, Michigan voters will get to make theirs.”
Ruth Igielnik contributed reporting.
