Haley Stevens targets Michigan auto industry chaos in Senate race

In Michigan, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens announced her candidacy for the open U.S. Senate seat on April 22, 2025. The announcement came with a strong critique of President Donald Trump's tariff policies, which Stevens argues are jeopardizing thousands of jobs in Michigan's critical auto industry. During her campaign launch, she was prominently featured walking among pickup trucks and SUVs, a symbolic setting that highlights her focus on automotive issues in the state. Her ad emphasized the impact of chaotic tariffs on the economy and the urgent need for policy that fosters stability. Stevens, a Democrat who has served in the House for four terms, believes that the current tariff regime is detrimental to Michigan's economy, particularly as the state heavily relies on the auto industry. Her call to action includes the need to end what she describes as Trump’s chaotic approach to tariffs, which she claims has left business leaders uncertain and unable to make effective plans. This resonates in a state that has seen substantial turmoil in its manufacturing sector over the past few years, where automotive jobs play a crucial role in the economy. As a prominent candidate in what is becoming a highly competitive race, Stevens is joining a field of other Democrats, including State Senator Mallory McMorrow and former gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is gaining traction with support from notable figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders. This contest is intensifying as Senator Gary Peters has chosen not to run for reelection, presenting an open opportunity for both parties in this battleground state that Trump won during the 2020 presidential election. On the Republican side, former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers is also making another bid for the seat. The stakes are high in Michigan as the National Republican Senatorial Committee targets this Senate race to flip a Democratic-held seat. With competition on both sides heating up, the outcome of this race could have significant implications for the future legislative dynamics in the U.S. Senate, especially as both parties aim to secure a majority. In her campaign, Stevens aims not only to leverage her record of advocating for the auto industry but also to position herself as a candidate who prioritizes the economic well-being of Michigan families amidst what she calls the 'chaos agenda' introduced by Trump's administration.