Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has thrown her support behind Haley Stevens, the sitting U.S. Representative for Michigan's 11th Congressional District, in the Democratic primary for the open U.S. Senate seat.
The endorsement, announced Tuesday, adds a prominent Michigan political figure to Stevens' growing list of supporters as the August primary approaches. Stevens' district includes Pontiac, along with Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Troy, and other central Oakland County communities.
Granholm cites Stevens' auto industry background
Granholm highlighted Stevens' role in the Obama administration's auto rescue plan during the late 2000s financial crisis.
"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. That's Haley Stevens," Granholm said in a statement circulated by Stevens' campaign.
Granholm added that Stevens possesses "Michigan grit," a quality she observed while Stevens served as Chief of Staff to President Obama's auto rescue team and helped save approximately 200,000 Michigan auto jobs.
"Haley delivers for Michigan and will beat Mike Rogers this November, and I couldn't be more proud to support her," Granholm said.
A crowded Democratic field
Stevens faces a three-way Democratic primary against state Senator Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak and former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. An Emerson College poll released recently showed McMorrow and El-Sayed tied at 24 percent each, with Stevens trailing at 13 percent.
The Republican primary features a two-way race between former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers of White Lake and former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Bernadette Smith.
National endorsements pile up
Granholm's endorsement follows a string of high-profile Democratic nods for Stevens. On Monday, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware became the third U.S. Senator to endorse Stevens, joining Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona.
"Haley Stevens is exactly the kind of leader Democrats need in the U.S. Senate right now, and she's the best candidate to keep this seat blue and help us flip the Senate," Coons said in a statement.
Former Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow also endorsed Stevens earlier this month.
Stevens praised Granholm, who served as U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Joe Biden.
"She's a trailblazer who created jobs, protected our Great Lakes and freshwater, and fought for our auto and manufacturing industry," Stevens said in a statement.
What is at stake
The race fills the seat vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township). Democrats currently hold a narrow majority in the Senate and need to net four additional seats to maintain control. Michigan is considered one of the most critical seats on the Democratic path to a majority.
The primary election is scheduled for August 2026. The general election takes place on November 3, 2026.
Pontiac voters in the 11th Congressional District will play a role in selecting the Democratic nominee in the August primary.