WHAT WILL WIN
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
With all of the polling ups and downs and tits-for-tat, what will really get voters motivated for a candidate? Each of the candidates are racking up endorsements, which we have noted can influence primary voters as much as 13-16 percent. Abdul El-Sayed has long been endorsed, and campaigned with, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Mallory McMorrow recently received the endorsement of Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, and recently announced a slew of former Macomb and St. Clair county leaders endorsing her. But Haley Stevens received the seal of approval from Michigan’s big kahuna, former Senator Debbie Stabenow, who originally said she would not endorse. “The stakes are too high right now,” as to why she changed her mind, noting that Stevens has “grit,” and will fight for Michigan the way she always did. While the man the three are seeking to replace, Senator Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township), has not endorsed, his wife, Colleen Peters, also endorsed Stevens, after Oakland Confidential had heard she was sighted attending some of Stevens’ fundraisers. Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm also just endorsed Stevens. Will Stabenow’s or Granholm’s finger on the scale make a difference in this tight race? One politico isn’t sure in 2026, noting that Michigan Democrats are where the Republicans were in 2010 with the Tea Party. “Will a traditional candidate with traditional endorsements be able to carry the day like they did in the past? No one should be surprised if El-Sayed becomes the candidate. I don’t think Haley will be outworked, because she won’t. But primary voters seem to want something different.” Democratic consultant Joe DiSano pointed out that Stevens’ strength is with older voters and African Americans. “Anyone who discounts Stevens does not understand African American and elderly voters. They are reliable and they come out.”
