Washington ― Michigan U.S. Sen. Gary Peters on Monday waded into the messy Democratic primary contest to fill his seat after months on the sidelines, getting behind fellow Oakland County lawmaker Haley Stevens.
"She has demonstrated to me time and time again that she's a fighter. ... We need workhorses in the Senate, and we need someone who can do that job from day one. This is not a place for on-the-job training," Peters told The Detroit News in a snub of Stevens' rival Abdul El-Sayed, who hasn't held elected office.
"She's proven her ability to get things done, and she has proven her ability to view the world in a practical, common sense way, which is the way Michiganders view their world each and every day."
Stevens, a moderate congresswoman from Birmingham, is locked in a bruising battle for the Democratic nomination against former public health official and progressive El-Sayed of Ann Arbor in the Aug. 4 primary election. The winner is expected to take on Republican Mike Rogers of White Lake Township in November to determine who will succeed Peters, who is retiring from the Senate after two terms.
"This is the establishment backing the establishment. And though it’s to be expected, it’s disappointing to watch Sen. Peters succumb to the Stevens campaign’s desperation after committing to let the voters decide," El-Sayed spokeswoman Roxie Richner said in a statement.
"Ultimately, his entry emphasizes the stakes of the race: it’s the politics of the past vs. the politics of the future, the politics of corporate power vs. the politics of worker power, the politics of cynicism vs. the politics of hope. Nothing says change like the last two senators trying to pick the next one.”
Peters said he's endorsing now because the Senate majority next year will be determined "in large measure" by what happens in Michigan, and "we have to make sure that a Democrat wins."
"That's why it's important for me to make sure that we get the right person representing Michigan," he said.
Peters chaired Senate Democrats' campaign arm for two election cycles and suggested Stevens is an experienced candidate and "proven commodity" as someone who has won "tough" elections with the type of background and record that can win against Rogers in a battleground, "purple" state.
"I know that Haley Stevens can do it, so I think you know that having a proven candidate who's been able to win tough elections, able to get support from a broad cross section of voters," Peters said.
"You've got to be able to talk to not just hard-core Democrats. You also have to be able to talk to independents, and come the general election, you've got to build that coalition in order to win."
Peters' endorsement comes at a pivotal moment three weeks out from the primary as Stevens tries to solidify support and slow El-Sayed's momentum following a heated debate last week in Grand Rapids. A third Democratic hopeful, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, dropped out of the race a week ago.
Stevens previously picked up the backing of former Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Lansing and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm. El-Sayed is backed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
Peters pointed to Stevens' record when asked how he'd convince undecided voters with concerns who have concerns about her as the corporate-backed, establishment pick or her support from dark money groups or the pro-Israel lobby.
"This is not about rhetoric. It's about action. She has been a fighter for Michigan. She has been effective in getting things done for the the state," Peters said. "She's an independent person and cares deeply about Michigan and always will fight for Michiganders. That record is the important thing."
He's unhappy with the tone of the primary race right now, saying he hopes Democrats realize that personal attacks against a fellow Democrat are "not helpful to what we have to do in the fall."
"The most important election is this fall, the general election," Peters said. "If you look at the contrast between our two Democratic candidates and Mike Rogers, that it is very large. We have to make sure that Mike Rogers loses this election."
Peters noted that both he and Stevens started their political careers in Oakland County and both of their fathers are teachers. Asked if he'd serve as a surrogate for Stevens or appear with her on the campaign trail, Peters said he'd be helpful "in any way that I can."
He said he would support whomever wins the primary, because "we're gonna have to all come together after August 4."
