Understanding the Ads Featuring Former President Barack Obama
Voters in Michigan are currently being exposed to television ads and mailers showcasing former President Barack Obama praising Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Haley Stevens. However, a crucial detail is that the clip being used is from 2018, not a recent endorsement for Stevens in the current election cycle.
In the ad, Obama commends Stevens for her role in revitalizing the American auto industry, but it’s essential to note that he has not officially endorsed her in the ongoing race against Abdul El-Sayed. Despite this, outside groups are utilizing this outdated endorsement to support Stevens without her campaign’s direct involvement.
The Facts Behind the Obama Clip
The footage of Obama endorsing Stevens is from an October 2018 rally in Detroit, where he urged Michigan voters to support Democrats. Although Obama did endorse Stevens in 2018 and 2020, his endorsements have typically not extended to contested state-level primaries. This year, his sole public U.S. Senate endorsement has been for Texas Democrat James Talarico.
Stevens has previously used the same Obama clip in her 2025 U.S. Senate bid announcement video and a 2022 House primary campaign advertisement. While she highlights her work with the Obama administration, she has not explicitly claimed his endorsement for her current Senate campaign.
During a recent debate, Stevens emphasized her contributions to the auto rescue under Obama’s administration, showcasing her commitment to Michigan. On the other hand, Detroit City Council member Denzel McCampbell criticized the ads as deceptive and warned against corporate interests manipulating the narrative.
It’s crucial for voters to differentiate between past endorsements and current campaign strategies when assessing political advertisements like the ones featuring Obama’s praise for Stevens.
In a tightly contested Michigan Senate race, political action committees are spending millions on advertisements supporting candidate Haley Stevens. These ads prominently feature clips of former President Barack Obama praising Stevens, sparking controversy over the use of past endorsements to bolster current campaigns.
The United Democracy Project, affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has reported spending nearly $15 million to support Stevens and oppose her opponent Abdul El-Sayed. Additionally, A Stronger Michigan, another political action committee, has spent slightly more than $12 million in support of Stevens.
Critics have raised concerns about the ads, including the United Auto Workers union, which endorsed El-Sayed. The union issued a cease-and-desist order to A Stronger Michigan, alleging that one of its ads improperly displayed the UAW logo. The union described the ads as a deliberate attempt to mislead Michigan voters, emphasizing the need to remove dark money corporate PACs from politics.
Despite the controversy, the ads continue to run, showcasing Stevens’ automotive background and ties to the Obama administration. With over $41 million in outside spending in the Michigan Senate race, these advertisements play a significant role in shaping the narrative and influencing voter perception. The use of past endorsements and affiliations in political campaigns remains a contentious issue, highlighting the complex intersection of money, politics, and messaging in modern elections.
