Gretchen Whitmer on Friday endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens ahead of the state’s U.S. Senate Democratic primary. Stevens, a more centrist candidate, and progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed are considered the front-runners in the race as early voting starts on Saturday. DEMOCRATS' CIVIL WAR HEADS TO MICHIGAN WHERE PROGRESSIVES FACE BIGGEST TEST YET IN HIGH-STAKES SENATE SHOWDOWNThe governor also beat El-Sayed in the Democratic primary for governor in 2018. "Michiganders need a fighter in Washington and there are few leaders with more fight in ’em than Haley Stevens," Whitmer said at the event. Democrats want to flip the U.S. Senate from narrow Republican control and must hold Michigan to do so.