The ballots from the August primaries flooded in on a wave of fierce contests, extravagant PAC expenditures and debates about where the ideological needlepoint should rest within the Democratic party. 

Among the most intense of these races were those of progressive Democrat, Abdul El-Sayed, who beat Rep. Haley Stevens, to face Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the general election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) will run against Rep. John James (R) for governor. 

Also on the ballot were candidates representing several congressional districts and those eyeing seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, courts and other local offices.  

In Oakland and Macomb Counties, Alex Hawkins (D) ran unopposed in the primaries and will compete against Mark Tisdel (R), who seeks to retain his seat to represent District 55 in the Michigan House of Representatives. U.S. House candidate Christina Bertrand Hines (D), District 10, beat runner-up Eric Chung (D)  by a difference of 17,343 votes.

Candidates from both parties have designed their platforms around affordability, K-12 education, public health and energy. However, views between and within parties differ on how these fault-line issues are to be pursued and to what degree. In the November general election, the way they are articulated will be decisive to winning votes among a divided electorate. 

We recently asked on-campus student organizations to provide their endorsements for the general election: College Democrats and College Republicans of Oakland University, Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) and Turning Point USA. Altogether, they represent a unique grade of perspectives and political ideologies. 

The College Democrats of Oakland University and Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA)

Both endorsing: Abdul El-Sayed

“The College Democrats of Oakland University has supported, and will continue to support Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate,” Clover DeVore, the president of College Democrats of Oakland University, said. 

“We believe in his progressive campaign to get corporate money out of politics, put money back into our pockets and pass Medicare for all — along with abolishing ICE and supporting the people of Palestine. He is the only candidate that believes in a government of the people, by the people and for the people — and will fight for the people of Michigan when elected as our next U.S. senator.”

The College Republicans of Oakland University

Endorsing: Michael Bouchard for U.S. House and Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate

The College Republicans of Oakland University are endorsing Michael Bouchard, who ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District to succeed Rep. John James, for governor. Their list of endorsements ahead of the August primaries — published on social media — also included James and Rogers for the U.S. Senate. 

The College Republicans said in an email to The Post: “The College Republicans at Oakland University are endorsing Mike Rogers in the upcoming U.S. Senate elections because he reflects our organization’s core values of limited government, strong national defense and fiscal responsibility. As college students face rising costs and an uncertain job market, we support Rogers’ focus on economic growth and opportunity for young people entering the workforce. His record of principled leadership and accountability is what our generation needs in the U.S. Senate.”

The College Republicans also included an official endorsement for Bouchard in an Instagram post released on July 20. 

“The Oakland University College Republicans are proud to endorse Michael Bouchard for Congress in District 10. 

Michael is a U.S. Army Captain who recently returned home after bravely serving in Iraq. His record of service reflects the kind of leadership and sacrifice we want representing us in Washington, and it speaks to a commitment to this country that goes far beyond politics. 

He has built a campaign on the issues that matter most to Southeast Michigan residents — growing our economy, securing our borders and standing up for our farmers, workers and veterans. As a third-generation Michigander, Michael understands this district and the people who call it home. 

Michael visited our chapter in March, taking the time to meet with our students and speak directly to the concerns of young conservatives on campus. His willingness to engage with the next generation says a lot about the kind of representative he’ll be. 

We believe Michael has the discipline, integrity and drive to fight for our generation’s future in Congress, and we have confidence he will carry that dedication to Lansing and Washington alike.”

Turning Point USA at OU 

On its website, Turning Point USA national has formally endorsed Michael Bouchard for District 10 and Tom Barrett for District 7. They are both running for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

To learn more about the outcomes of the primaries and forecasts for the general election, read Michigan State University’s expert commentary, and visit Ballotpedia for official polling results.