ON THE RUN
Democrat Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, majority of Oakland County) is definitely a woman with a mission – if not a formally announced Senate campaign for 2026 to replace outgoing Senator Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township), who announced in early 2025 that he would not run again for the seat, causing wide speculation on both sides of the aisle as to who is lacing their Nikes. Stevens, a moderate Democrat with a firm hold on her 11th District seat, is giving every indication she intends to follow her good friend Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) to the upper chamber, with someone familiar with her thinking noting she is “very, very seriously considering running.” Not only does Stevens have $1 million in the bank – a nice beginning for a federal race, whether House or Senate – and is the only current Democrat name being thrown about who has passed significant national bipartisan legislation. Like her fellow suggested candidates, among them state Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham), she’s leaning into the national media, being interviewed more frequently by CNN and MSNBC, including the morning after President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on the impact of tariffs on the auto industry and potentially cutting the CHIPS Act, which she sponsored. We’ve also heard she is hiring staff for a campaign. Most telling was that Stevens barnstormed the Michigan Democratic Convention in February, not only shaking hands and taking selfies but even holding a reception with Dems from all of the state. Word is that McMorrow just ran in and voted. Then in early March, 190 Stevens supporters turned out to shake her hand and have a photo op – more potent ammo as she explores a run. Sources believe McMorrow will announce her candidacy soon, with Steven possibly not far behind. Those close to Stevens don’t believe she’s concerned about her fellow Dems. “She has a much bigger audience and platform than McMorrow, for example, which is advantageous,” said one confidant. As for potential Republican opponents? The same associate noted, that while Michigan is a swing state, Stevens, with her auto rescue background and expertise on manufacturing, has everyone beat. “There are very few people who can talk to the owner of the factory and the guy on the factory floor,” they quipped.
