MI-SEN: Michigan Sen. Gary Peters backs Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens in contentious race to succeed him

[RandySF]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Outgoing Michigan Sen. Gary Peters is endorsing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens as his successor, adding to a growing effort by the Democratic establishment to help her defeat progressive favorite Abdul El-Sayed in next month’s primary.

Peters, who is retiring after 12 years in the Senate, said Stevens “will be ready on day one to fight for Michigan.” The endorsement, which was announced Monday, marks a reversal for Peters, who told The Associated Press in late May that he intended to stay neutral in the race.

But since then, Democratic leaders have increasingly rallied behind Stevens as the Aug. 4 primary approaches and concerns grow that El-Sayed is too far left to succeed in November. Holding the Michigan seat is viewed as critical to Democrats’ hopes of reclaiming the Senate majority.

Stevens, a four-term House member, has campaigned as a more moderate Democrat focused on manufacturing issues in the critical battleground state. El-Sayed, who has never held elected office, is running on a more progressive platform that includes Medicare for All and campaign finance reform. He's also been outspoken about the war in Gaza, which has been a fault line within the party.



https://www.wsls.com/news/politics/2026/07/13/michigan-sen-gary-peters-backs-democratic-rep-haley-stevens-in-contentious-race-to-succeed-him/

[hlthe2b]

1. Hmmm. She doesn't come across well to me. Just my instinctive response.

Her opponent, on the other hand, comes across as highly intelligent, zeroing in on the most important issues for the public and practical solutions. The attempts to paint him otherwise kinda reeks of Islamophobia to me. I don't find his views on Gaza (at least those I am aware of) as extreme, but rather consistent with most people now who find Bibi's IDF to be out of control and his government corrupt as hell.

[RandySF]

3. I'm still a little raw

about Abdul’s 2018 campaign against Gretchen Whitmer.

[Sympthsical]

4. He invited Hasan Piker to campaign with him

For me, you might as well invite David Duke or Nick Fuentes at that point. It's a nonstarter for me to be chill with that kind of terrorist-supporting antisemitism. Full stop.

I know people with certain views see it as no big deal.

But if we're letting that into the party, we're in trouble. We cannot normalize this.

[hlthe2b]

6. I Don't like him either, though he is an extremist on an array of issues... then again all one

has to say is that someone is an "influencer" to have me His OTT comments on any number of issues seem to have induced ire in any number of groups--not just pro-Israel or those fighting antisemitism. I assume those are his deeply held beliefs though the comments often signal an attempt to enrage or garner major attention. No. I would hope all of our politicos would stay considerable distance from individuals like this. That said, I find even the "moderate" large audience "influencer" voices often objectionable (e.g., Joe Rogan)--especially those in the "Bro" genre. Not saying these others are equally disgusting, but I just think we need to recognize many of these guys garner a big audience and think they can say any damned thing they want. And those needing an audience (even our own politicians) will appear with them for that reason. I don't support that. Even Kamala Harris appeared with some objectional people IMO though less so than this Piker cretin from what I can tell.

His Wiki indicates he was credentialed for 2024 DNC, so it seems he's got a foothold already. Mamdani has tried to walk a line with him too, though he did discredit him during a mayoral debate.

[Sympthsical]

7. It's this playing footsie with the element

This is what Republicans do with their little Confederate/Klan crowd. Sometimes dog whistle, sometimes not. Always attempting a shred of plausible deniability that we absolutely do not extend to them.

We're supposed to be Democrats, and being against racism is kind of supposed to be one of our things. There are always objectionable people politicians feel they have to cater to on some level to get voters, whether we agree with them or not. I get that.

But once you start signalling you're, if not good, then at least unbothered by some of the ugly forces being unleashed in the anti-Zionist movement, you've completely lost me. And this has nothing to do with how I feel about Israel, which is condemnatory towards Netanyahu, Likud, the settlers, and what's happening in Gaza. You can be all of those things while still condemning this manifestation of ugly bigotry and support for Islamist terrorism inside the October 8th movement. Piker's audience is not that large, and they're primarily a bunch of racist lunatics who call everything they dislike Zionist and think "Zionists" are behind everything. They mean Jews, but shhhhh.

That some politicians want to flirt with that to cater to that crowd is appalling. You invite Piker to your events, you're telling me something about yourself. And that something is that I'm not so sure that your public campaign statements are reflective of your real views.

[aeromanKC]

2. I respect Senator Peters endorsement, but damn is it tone deaf.

[MIButterfly]

5. Of course he did

Gary Peters is as establishment as they come. I never liked him. I voted for him, but I never liked him.

I like El-Sayed. His views are closer to my own. Stevens is same old, same old and how far has that gotten or will get us? Of course, if she is the nominee, I will vote for her. That's how I roll.

[fujiyamasan]

8. Maybe it was the "defund the police" clip that finally pushed him to endorse Stevens

My guess is there is a real worry among the establishment that a “defund” clip could be played not just for this race, but nationally. And why wouldn’t they? It worked for republicans in the past.

Peters and Slotkin are both on the moderate side and the reality is the state has trended a bit to the right over the last few elections. Both Peters and Slotkin won by slim margins. It’s no surprise that both of them would endorse Stevens.

[chapterhouse]

12. Those three words have been gold for the Republicans

And, among other things, it's why AOC has no chance nationally or maybe even running for Senate in NY.

[fujiyamasan]

14. Your take may not be popular here but I completely agree

And one of the house candidates that won a primary in New York is taking it a step further saying “abolish prisons”.

[LeftInTX]

15. I think she could win NY Senate, but don't think she can win nationally in 2028

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. This makes me smile

Link to tweet

[Buckeyeblue]

10. I do struggle with this vote. It's the first primary vote I've been on the fence about

Obviously I'll vote for whoever wins the nominee. But we have to win this one. They should both beat Mike Rogers. I think the turn out favors Democratic candidates since it's both midterm against an unpopular president and we are electing a new Governor.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. It's nice to have endorsements!

[radicalleft]

13. That's all I need to vote

for someone else...