Barack Obama hasn’t endorsed a Michigan Senate candidate. An AIPAC-linked group is spending millions on ads with him anyway
Michigan Voters See Obama Ads for Stevens Despite No Official Endorsement
Barack Obama hasn t endorsed a Michigan – Residents of Michigan may be excused for believing that former President Barack Obama has thrown his weight behind Rep. Haley Stevens in the heated Democratic Senate primary. The reality is more nuanced, yet the visual evidence suggests otherwise. Supporters of Stevens have invested $5 million into television spots that have been broadcast almost 4,000 times across the state. These commercials showcase Obama commending Stevens for her role as chief of staff for the US Auto Rescue Task Force during the turbulent 2008 financial crisis.
According to AdImpact data, this particular advertisement has been aired more frequently than any other political spot in Michigan over the past twelve months. The strategic push aims to forge a connection between Stevens and the beloved former president within a state where Black voters constituted approximately one-quarter of the Democratic electorate during the 2022 midterm elections. Additionally, the campaign seeks to reinforce public memory of Stevens’ contributions to preserving Michigan’s legendary automotive sector.
Opponents Raise Concerns About Voter Misunderstanding
As the contest between the more centrist Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed intensifies, the advertising blitz has generated criticism from rivals. El-Sayed, a former Detroit public health official seeking to capitalize on progressive momentum from earlier victories this election cycle, faces mounting pressure. Michigan Democrats have expressed frustration with their party’s direction, and El-Sayed believes he understands the root cause.
“We’ve seen some examples of folks saying, ‘Oh, I thought that Obama was supporting her in this race,’ because they’ve seen these ads,” said Denzel McCampbell, a Detroit City Council member who is backing El-Sayed. “I think it is concerning for me because this may be the only time that folks are tuning into the race.”
Stevens’ allies have pushed back against these concerns. Keith Williams, who chairs the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus and supports Stevens, defended the advertising approach.
“What are they complaining about? It’s not a lie. He did say that. So, give credit where credit is due. He’s a hot ticket,” Williams countered.
Financial Disparity and Ideological Battleground
The financial gap between the two campaigns has widened considerably. Outside organizations supporting Stevens have contributed more than $50 million to the contest overall. In contrast, El-Sayed, who has committed to avoiding corporate PAC contributions, has attracted under $1 million in external advertising backing. This disparity becomes even more significant given that several of the pro-Stevens advertisements are financed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, placing them at the center of a Democratic debate over American support for Israel.
The Michigan race carries implications beyond the August 4 primary. The victor will confront former Representative Mike Rogers, the anticipated Republican nominee, in a general election that Democrats must secure to maintain any realistic prospect of reclaiming Senate control.
Obama’s Enduring Political Currency
Throughout the 2026 election cycle, Obama’s political brand has demonstrated remarkable staying power in competitive races. Last year, external organizations invested millions in commercials featuring the former president advocating for partisan redistricting initiatives in California and Virginia. These efforts countered Republican strategies in Texas that ignited a nationwide controversy regarding gerrymandering practices. Even Republican adversaries participated in the trend, circulating archived footage of Obama critiquing the same practice.
During the Illinois Senate primary in March, both Rep. Robin Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton—who ultimately secured the Democratic nomination—utilized similar advertising tactics featuring Obama’s past endorsements. The United Democracy Project, a super PAC backed by AIPAC that has allocated nearly $30 million toward Stevens’ campaign, repurposed a 2018 rally soundbite for Michigan Democrats. The organization invested $5 million behind this particular advertisement, according to AdImpact records.
“She was there. She was a critical part of my team that helped the American auto industry come roaring back,” Obama states in the clip, endorsing Stevens during her initial congressional campaign.
Another pro-Stevens organization, which has yet to reveal fundraising details, has launched a comparable advertisement utilizing the identical Obama excerpt. A voiceover at the conclusion declares, “If President Obama trusts her, so do I.”
David Axelrod, a seasoned Democratic strategist and CNN political analyst, identified Obama’s widespread appeal within the party as the driving force behind candidates who suggest his backing without formal endorsement. Axelrod characterized the deployment of historical campaign footage as a “shrewd” approach, particularly valuable in a state where African American voters could represent as much as a quarter of the primary electorate. Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch, a longtime figure in Michigan Democratic politics, also appeared in related promotional materials.