CIVPAC endorses Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate in Michigan.
This is not a perfect-choice endorsement. It is a practical and important one.
Michigan is one of the most consequential Senate races of 2026. Democrats are defending an open seat in a state that remains politically competitive. In such a race, the Democratic nominee should be someone who can win a statewide general election, defend liberal democracy, support democratic allies, strengthen the economy, and govern from a practical center-left position.
On those tests, Haley Stevens is the strongest candidate in the Democratic primary.
CIVPAC does not endorse every element of Stevens’ record or rhetoric. In particular, we do not treat the Obama auto rescue as an unqualified policy success. It temporarily preserved union jobs during a crisis — which Democrats may celebrate — but it also raised serious concerns about government favoritism, creditor priority, and the political protection of unions and legacy obligations. CIVPAC’s endorsement of Stevens does not rest on nostalgia for that episode.
It rests on the 2026 choice.
Stevens has substantial experience in Congress and has represented a competitive Michigan district. She has focused on manufacturing, technology, workforce development, education, and practical economic policy. Those are relevant strengths in a state where Democrats cannot win by appealing only to ideological activists or national political tribes.
Foreign policy is also central to CIVPAC’s evaluation. Stevens has repeatedly voted to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, including the 2024 Ukraine Security Supplemental and the 2026 effort to force consideration of additional Ukraine support and Russia sanctions. At a time when both the isolationist right and parts of the anti-interventionist left have grown unreliable on Ukraine, that record matters.
On Israel and Gaza, Stevens is clearly in the pro-Israel Democratic mainstream. CIVPAC recognizes that this issue is especially difficult in Michigan, including for Arab American and Muslim voters with deep personal ties to the region. A serious candidate should be able to support Israel’s security, oppose Hamas, recognize Palestinian suffering, support humanitarian relief, and avoid rhetoric that collapses the distinction between a democratic ally and a terrorist organization. Stevens’ position is not the only possible Democratic position, but it is closer to CIVPAC’s view than Abdul El-Sayed’s call to halt U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.
El-Sayed is an intelligent and serious person with real public-health experience and real appeal to voters frustrated with politics as usual. We wish the center had more candidates with this kind of energy. But his platform and political coalition place him well to the left of what CIVPAC believes Michigan or the country needs. His support for Medicare for All, his opposition to U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, and his broader anti-establishment posture may energize the progressive wing of the party, but they also create substantial general-election and governing risks in a closely divided state.
Mallory McMorrow is also a serious candidate, and CIVPAC does not dismiss her. She has shown political talent, generational appeal, and a willingness to challenge stale Democratic messaging. She also appears less ideologically rigid than El-Sayed and may be closer to the kind of energetic center-left politics Democrats need. But in this race, CIVPAC gives greater weight to Stevens’ federal experience, clearer general-election positioning, and stronger record on the foreign-policy issues most central to our mission.
The center should not apologize for making practical choices in important races. Michigan’s Senate seat is too important for symbolic politics. CIVPAC endorses Haley Stevens.
CIVPAC welcomes comments, corrections, and opposing views. Please share your thoughts on our Contact Us page. If you are commenting on a particular candidate or race, please include that in your comment.