Full Breakdown
Whitmer Holds Off Endorsement as Michigan Senate Primary Heats Up
7/22/2026, 1:30:28 AM
Primary Race Overview
Michigan’s U.S. Senate primary pits former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. The Aug. 4 primary will decide the Democratic challenger to Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers. Early in-person voting begins Saturday, and absentee ballots have been available for nearly four weeks.
Whitmer’s Position
She expressed concern over “online ugliness” and intra-party rhetoric, emphasizing that the tone of the contest could jeopardize the party’s chances in the fall election.
Poll Snapshot
A Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll of 500 likely Democratic primary voters, conducted beginning July 8, showed 48 % supporting Stevens and 41 % favoring El-Sayed, with a margin of error of ±4.4 percentage points. About 10 % of respondents were undecided, half of whom said Whitmer’s endorsement could sway their choice.
Official Statements & Responses
After signing an education budget bill in Southfield, Whitmer reiterated that she has no announcements to make and will monitor the race before the primary. Her comments underscore a strategic decision to avoid deepening the “online ugliness” that has marked the campaign, while signaling that a future endorsement remains possible.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am continuing to watch it play out,” — Caption Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
- “I'm a Democrat; I'm proud to be a Democrat,” — Caption Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
- “At this point, I don't have any announcements to make,” — Caption Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
