In Lansing, Michigan, Haley Stevens, who is currently serving her fourth term as a U.S. Representative, has announced her candidacy for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. The announcement came via a video that emphasized the economic turmoil stemming from former President Donald Trump’s unstable tariff policies. As Stevens walked through a lot filled with pickup trucks and SUVs, she highlighted her commitment to defending Michigan’s vital auto industry. She stated, “His chaos and reckless tariffs are putting tens of thousands of Michigan jobs at risk.” Stevens further stressed the need to cease what she referred to as the “chaos agenda” in a conversation with reporters.
This Democratic politician emerges as the fourth prominent figure to enter what is rapidly shaping up to be a high-profile Senate race, a race with national attention given the 53-47 Republican majority that is potentially up for grabs. The political landscape shifted after Democratic Senator Gary Peters decided not to pursue reelection, positioning Stevens as a formidable contender. She will face State Senator Mallory McMorrow and former gubernatorial contender Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers is making another attempt after narrowly losing to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the 2024 U.S. Senate race by a mere 19,000 votes. The Democratic primary promises a contentious battle, with Stevens expected to capitalize on her congressional experience, while McMorrow, known for her viral presence, and El-Sayed, endorsed by prominent figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, are campaigning as political outsiders.
Prior to her congressional role, Stevens was part of the U.S. Treasury’s auto task force during the 2008 financial crisis, assisting in the Obama administration’s bailout of major car manufacturers such as General Motors and Chrysler. She criticizes Trump’s import taxes, arguing they are precipitating a new economic challenge in Michigan, a state heavily reliant on the auto sector’s performance.
Stevens argues that citizens are reaching their limit with the unpredictability of tariffs, insisting that this policy inconsistency has a detrimental effect on the auto industry and throws companies of all sizes into uncertainty as they struggle to strategize amidst a shifting policy landscape. Despite her criticism, Stevens acknowledges the tactical use of tariffs, a position shared by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who recently advocated for a precise application of tariffs. Moreover, Shawn Fain, head of a major autoworker union based in Michigan, backs Trump’s tariffs, viewing them as vital for reviving domestic manufacturing.
While Stevens supports targeted tariffs aimed at boosting America’s competitiveness against China, she disapproves of what she terms “shoot-by-the-hip, erratic tariffs” lacking strategic direction. She emphasizes the importance of having “rules of the road” to guide successful economic policies. In recent elections, Stevens has demonstrated resilience, notably securing victory in Oakland County, a significant electorate in the battleground state. After successfully flipping a Republican seat in 2018 and narrowly holding onto it in 2020, she won reelection with a comfortable margin in the redrawn, Democrat-friendly district in both 2022 and 2024.