government
Barack Obama hasn’t endorsed a Michigan Senate candidate. An AIPAC-linked group is spending millions on ads with him anyway
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 17, 2026
· 10 min read
By David Wright, CNN
(CNN) — Former President Barack Obama hasn’t endorsed in the contentious Democratic Senate primary in Michigan – but voters there could be forgiven for getting that impression.
Supporters of Rep. Haley Stevens have spent $5 million airing an advertisement nearly 4,000 tim...
Key takeaway Haley Stevens have spent $5 million airing an advertisement nearly 4,000 times that features Obama praising her work as chief of staff for the US Auto Rescue Task Force during the 2008 financial crisis.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso , where voters often prioritize issues like border security and economic development, the Michigan Senate primary may seem distant. However, the tactics used by supporters of Rep. Haley Stevens, including the extensive use of an advertisement featuring former President Barack Obama, could have implications for local campaigns. El Paso's own Democratic primaries have seen similar dynamics, with outside groups influencing the narrative and potentially misleading voters. The role of groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in funding ads also raises questions about the influence of national interests in local elections. As El Paso voters head to the polls in future elections, they may face similar challenges in discerning genuine endorsements from strategically placed advertisements, making it crucial for them to stay informed and critically evaluate the information presented to them.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 10 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By David Wright, CNN
(CNN) — Former President Barack Obama hasn’t endorsed in the contentious Democratic Senate primary in Michigan – but voters there could be forgiven for getting that impression.
Supporters of Rep. Haley Stevens have spent $5 million airing an advertisement nearly 4,000 tim...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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