Stevens: From Auto Task Force to Senate Candidate Profile
Stevens, 41, brings auto industry policy expertise and congressional experience to the 2026 Senate race.
Event / Politics
Michigan Senate Race 2026
Democratic and Republican primary elections held August 4, 2026, to determine candidates for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by retiring Senator Gary Peters. Democratic primary features progressive Abdul El-Sayed against moderate Haley Stevens, while Republican Mike Rogers runs unopposed.
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2026-08-13 to 2026-11-10 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 5 Aug, 00:53 UTC
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What happened
Donald Trump endorsed Mike Rogers for Michigan Senate
President Donald Trump endorsed Mike Rogers in the Michigan Republican Senate primary and criticized the Democratic candidates, calling Stevens a 'socialist' and El-Sayed a 'communist' on August 3, 2026.
Michigan Democratic Senate primary held on August 4, 2026
Michigan voters held a Democratic primary election on August 4, 2026, to choose the nominee for an open U.S. Senate seat. The primary featured Abdul El-Sayed, a Detroit-based public health official and state senator, and U.S. Representative Haley Stevens competing for the nomination to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters.
Virginia Democratic primary targets Republican-held House seats
Democrats in Virginia focused on flipping Republican-held House seats in the August 4, 2026 primaries following Virginia's Supreme Court striking down a congressional redistricting plan pushed by Democrats. Targets included Representative Jen Kiggans' seat, where former Congresswoman Elaine Luria is running against her.
Haley Stevens announced Senate bid in April 2025
Haley Stevens announced her campaign for U.S. Senate in April 2025, entering the race to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters. She framed her campaign around protecting Michigan's auto industry from tariffs.
Senator Gary Peters announced non-reelection in April 2025
U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat who has held the seat since 2015, announced in April 2025 that he would not seek reelection.
Nancy Pelosi endorsed Haley Stevens for Senate
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Haley Stevens in May 2025 for the Michigan Senate race.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Haley Stevens
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Haley Stevens in her Senate campaign in May 2025. This was among the last endorsements Whitmer made as sitting governor, as she had reached her term limit.
Mike Rogers runs unopposed in Michigan Republican Senate primary
Mike Rogers, a former Republican congressman, ran unopposed in the Republican primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat. Rogers lost the 2024 general election to Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin by approximately 19,000 votes, or 0.3 percentage points.
Haley Stevens born June 24, 1983, in Rochester Hills, Michigan
Haley Stevens was born on June 24, 1983, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She is 43 years old and graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan, before earning degrees from American University.
Five states held primaries on August 4, 2026
Five U.S. states held primary elections on August 4, 2026: Michigan, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, and Washington.
Haley Stevens served as chief of staff for Obama's Auto Industry Task Force
Before entering Congress, Haley Stevens served as chief of staff for the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry under President Barack Obama during the 2008 financial crisis. She helped manage the federal government's response to the collapse of the U.S. auto sector.
Haley Stevens married Rob Gulley in September 2021
Haley Stevens married software engineer Rob Gulley in September 2021 in a small outdoor ceremony in Michigan. The couple had met in high school and reconnected in 2017. They announced their divorce in 2022.
Kansas gubernatorial election is open race on August 4, 2026
Kansas held an open gubernatorial election on August 4, 2026, with Democratic Governor Laura Kelly reaching her term limit. Three Democrats and seven Republicans ran for her seat in a state that favored Trump by 16 points in 2024.
Abdul El-Sayed endorsed by Sanders and AOC
Abdul El-Sayed received endorsements from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary.
August 2 EPIC-MRA poll shows El-Sayed leading Stevens by up to 15 points
An EPIC-MRA poll conducted on August 2, 2026, showed Abdul El-Sayed leading Haley Stevens by as much as 15 points in the Democratic primary. However, the same poll indicated Stevens could perform better in the general election against Republican Mike Rogers.
Haley Stevens has represented Michigan's 11th Congressional District since 2019
Haley Stevens has served as U.S. Representative for Michigan's 11th Congressional District since January 2019. The district covers Oakland County and suburban Detroit areas. She first won the seat in 2018 and was re-elected three times, most recently in November 2024 with 58.2% of the vote. She serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee and focuses on manufacturing, labor, and technology policy.
Hasan Piker campaigned with Abdul El-Sayed on August 3, 2026
Twitch streamer Hasan Piker appeared with Abdul El-Sayed at a campaign event on August 3, 2026. Piker's appearance drew criticism from Jewish groups and moderate Democrats, who questioned El-Sayed's judgment due to Piker's anti-Israel statements.
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2 alternative perspectives
August 4 primaries reshape races across five states nationwide
Five states held primaries August 4, with races in Virginia and Kansas among key contests.
Rogers secures GOP nomination unopposed in Michigan Senate race
Rogers secures unopposed GOP nomination with Trump's backing for Michigan Senate race.
Stevens, El-Sayed face off in Michigan Democratic Senate primary
Michigan Democratic Senate primary held August 4, 2026 between Stevens and El-Sayed.