Key Senate Democrat Candidate Caught Touting Fake Endorsement

Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), now running for U.S. Senate in 2026, is facing unwanted scrutiny after her campaign posted — and then deleted — a fabricated endorsement from a local official who says he was never contacted.

Stevens’ campaign account on X published an “Endorsement Alert” touting support from Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford. The post included a graphic with Pitchford’s name and photo, along with a glowing message thanking him for his supposed backing.

But Pitchford himself quickly set the record straight. “I literally never endorsed her or heard a word from her team,” he wrote in reply. “I have not talked to anyone, emailed anyone about endorsements, or even hinted that I would be open to endorsing her.”

via X

Within hours, Stevens’ post was quietly deleted, prompting critics online to mock the reversal.

Pitchford later told The Detroit News that Stevens “thinks that she is going to just get the Black vote in Michigan and get (the support of) Black elected officials from across the state without having to do any of the actual work and have any policies. That team just assumed that I was going to be backing her, and that was the wrong assumption.”

I literally never endorsed her or heard a word from her team. I promise you, I have not talked to anyone, emailed anyone about endorsements, or even hinted that I would be open to endorsing her. https://t.co/tTM7u6rAOT

— Chokwe Pitchford (@ComPitchford) September 2, 2025

In response, Stevens’ campaign downplayed the flap. Spokesperson Reeves Oyster told Michigan Advance there had been “a miscommunication.”

“Our campaign is proud to have the endorsements of Michiganders across the state — including from Former Speaker Joe Tate, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, 40 clergy members from across Detroit, the Mayors of Lansing and Grand Rapids, 11 mayors across Metro Detroit, former MI Governor Jim Blanchard, and UNITE Here Local 24,” Oyster said.

Haley Stevens

Supporters also rallied to Stevens’ defense. Lathrup Village Mayor Kelly Garrett, who has endorsed her, argued that Stevens has consistently demonstrated a commitment to communities of color.

“Haley is not someone who just shows up for photo opportunities, she rolls up her sleeves and does the actual work,” Garrett said. “Now is not the time for us to tear each other down over distractions that don’t put more money in the pockets of our families. We need to be unified and make Michigan better for ALL Michiganders.”

Pitchford, meanwhile, made clear he is keeping his options open. He confirmed being in “active communication” with both McMorrow and El-Sayed, noting that their campaigns have reached out for his support.

The incident quickly drew national attention. Right-leaning outlets labeled it a “fake endorsement” scandal and highlighted the deleted post, with WorldNetDaily and political newsletters like Political Wire seizing on Pitchford’s blunt denial.

The episode arrives at a pivotal moment for Stevens, who launched her Senate bid earlier this year. She faces a competitive Democratic primary against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed, and health researcher Rachel Howard. The eventual nominee is expected to take on Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. Representative backed by President Trump.

Stevens has recently attempted to showcase momentum by releasing lists of backers, including clergy in Detroit. But the misstep with Pitchford hands her rivals fresh talking points in a race where credibility and coalition-building could prove decisive.