With Mallory McMorrow out of the race, Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens are now locked in for one of the most hotly contested Senate seats in the nation. The race its self is interesting but we had a larger question: “Who is endorsing who for Senate?” So we took the time to go through both candidate’s long list of co-signs to show you who’s supporting each person in this crazy and tight race.
One might think that if Stevens has the Democratic “base” then El-Sayed would struggle to find support. But instead he’s consolidated the progressive wing of the Democratic party which had been difficult to do in a pre-Trump world.
El-Sayed has key endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Congressional progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Rep. Rashida Talib (MI-12). He’s also collected some key power brokers such as Wayne County Executive, Warren Evans. and Rev. Horace Sheffield III, the father of Detroit’s mayor, Mary Sheffield. In addition to that he’s united groups like Working Families Party, The People’s Coalition, and Indivisible in a massive progressive wall that’s been very vocal and active online.
But one of El-Sayed’s true wins is the support he has from Michigan’s labor base. Having the full throated backing of the UAW is one of the biggest stamps of approval in Michigan’s political ecosystem. The UAW has hundreds of thousands of active and retired members that use their slate to help make decisions on who they vote for. Combine that with support from the College Dems of University of Michigan, Western Michigan, Oakland University and Eastern Michigan and you’re looking at a massive youth movement to match with his labor support.
As a congresswoman and someone who’s entrenched herself in Washington’s money machine, Stevens walks into this election with the support of stalwart pillars of the Democratic party.
Stevens boasts endorsements from long time Democrats like Former Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Former Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm. She also is backed by the Michigan Democratic Black Caucus and the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. Even the incumbent in the seat she’s running in, Sen. Gary Peters, has given her his backing. In normal times, that would seal a win for her almost instantly. But with the moderate Dems losing ground to progressives in special elections and primaries nationwide, those names may actually harm her in the long run.
However, it must be stated, that former President Barack Obama has not formally endorsed Stevens for the Senate seat, even though she’s released mailers that make it seem like she has. Stevens was on Obama’s Auto Task Force during that industry’s bailouts in 2009. Obama hasn’t formally endorsed anyone in Michigan’s Senate race.
Also Steven’s relationship with the religious left, particularly with the Black Church, cannot be understated. Stevens has the endorsement of over 50 key clergymen and women centering around Detroit and Wayne County. This is vital as she looks to perform well in Michigan’s biggest city due to the Black vote.
This contest is hotter than the weather right now and that’s saying something. The whole country's watching. The stakes couldn't be higher. No matter who wins the primary, they will be the opponent against a Trump-backed Mike Rogers. And he will spare no expense at bringing Michigan back under Republican control. So regardless of who you support, one of them will be your best chance at slowing down the GOP’s complete dismantling of our Democracy.
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