Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) has urged her primary opponent, Abdul el Sayed, to withdraw his endorsement of William Lawrence, a progressive Democrat, due to Lawrence's past comments that have drawn criticism from black leaders. Stevens stated, "He should totally not be campaigning with someone who’s saying goofy and hurtful and painful things like that," referring to Lawrence's remarks made on a podcast. The Congressional Black Caucus has also expressed disapproval of Lawrence, endorsing Stevens and advising candidates against associating with him.
Lawrence described his comments as "clumsy" and accused opponents of misrepresenting his words. Stevens reiterated her support for the Congressional Black Caucus and called for el Sayed to reconsider his endorsement. Both el Sayed and Lawrence are scheduled to campaign together at a rally in Lansing, Michigan, featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). This event aims to energize progressive voters ahead of the Democratic primary on August 4, where the winner will face former Rep. Mike Rogers, the expected Republican nominee, in the 2026 Senate race.
Recent polling indicates Stevens is gaining support among black voters, with a significant lead over el Sayed. Both candidates have been actively campaigning to appeal to this demographic, with el Sayed highlighting his support for former Vice President Kamala Harris and Stevens showcasing endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including former President Barack Obama.