Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, adding another influential voice to her growing list of supporters from the Congressional Black Caucus.
“I’ve been proud to have Haley by my side through some of the toughest fights against Donald Trump and fighting to lower costs for working families,” Clyburn said in a statement to Michigan Chronicle. “From taking on Big Pharma to cap the cost of prescription drugs to bringing back good-paying union manufacturing jobs to Michigan to her work as Chief of Staff on President Barack Obama’s auto rescue, helping save 200,000 Michigan auto jobs, Haley is a fighter for Michigan, and she delivers for Michigan. I’m honored to endorse her campaign for U.S. Senate.”
Stevens celebrated the endorsement, describing Clyburn as a leader who knows how to “win tough fights.”
“Jim Clyburn is a civil rights icon, a historic leader, someone who knows how to take on Donald Trump, and I could not be more honored to have his support for my campaign for U.S. Senate,” Stevens said. “This race is about winning for Michigan, protecting our manufacturing economy, lowering costs, and taking on Donald Trump’s chaos.”
Clyburn, who has earned a reputation as South Carolina’s kingmaker, has spent years in House leadership, making him one of the Democratic establishment’s most respected voices. In 2020, Clyburn endorsed Joe Biden just days before the South Carolina primary, helping propel him to victory in the state, his first on the way to the Democratic nomination and, eventually, the presidency.
Clyburn joins a wave of CBC members backing Stevens as she faces progressive former Michigan health official Abdul el Sayed, whose campaign has centered on challenging the Democratic establishment. A group of over a dozen other CBC lawmakers endorsed Stevens earlier this year.
Stevens has also secured the backing of state Rep. Joe Tate, the first black speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, as she works to build support among black voters, a key constituency in the state’s Democratic primary.
Recent polling showed Stevens pulling ahead of el Sayed among black Democratic voters, 67%-21%. Stevens also has a 22-point lead over el Sayed among voters without college degrees, while el Sayed is leading Stevens among college graduates by 7 points and white voters by 12 points.
The endorsements come as the race increasingly reflects a divide within the Democratic Party. On Monday, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MI) endorsed el Sayed, calling him the “best choice” to defeat the Republican nominee in November. El Sayed has also won support from progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
MICHIGAN SENATE DEBATE: EL SAYED AND STEVENS SLAM EACH OTHER OVER FINANCIAL INTERESTS
At the same time, Stevens has also been endorsed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and other members of the Democratic establishment.
The Democratic nominee will face former Rep. Mike Rogers, the GOP’s presumptive nominee, in the general election.