Haley Stevens Joins the Wild Michigan Senate Race, Targets Trump and Auto Industry Woes

Michigan’s Senate race just got a little more crowded—and a lot more dramatic. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Democrat from Michigan, officially jumped into the 2026 Senate race on Tuesday, squarely setting her sights on former President Donald Trump’s legacy and vowing to protect the state’s iconic auto industry. In a campaign launch video surrounded by cars (when in Michigan, right?), Stevens accused Trump’s administration of creating "chaos" and warned that his tariffs could put tens of thousands of Michigan jobs on the line. She wasted no time linking her campaign to the fight for local industry, promising to bring down costs for families and stand up to what she calls the "Trump-Musk chaos agenda."

Stevens is no stranger to the auto world. She highlighted her work during the Obama years to boost American manufacturing, even showing off a clip of former President Barack Obama giving her a personal shoutout. That’s a pretty solid flex in a state where auto jobs are like gold.

The Democratic field is already looking like a crowded parking lot. State Senator Mallory McMorrow, who went viral in 2022 for a fiery speech against a Republican lawmaker’s accusations, recently announced her bid. Abdul El-Sayed, a former county health chief and progressive favorite (with the Bernie Sanders seal of approval), is also in the running. And former state House Speaker Joe Tate is reportedly kicking the tires on entering the race as well.

On the Republican side, last year’s nominee Mike Rogers—former FBI agent and House Intelligence Committee chair—has announced a second try after narrowly losing to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in 2024. But he might not have the field to himself, as Rep. Bill Huizenga says his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Senator Gary Peters announced his retirement.

This Michigan Senate seat is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and closely watched battles of 2026. National Republicans are eyeing it as a top pickup opportunity, along with seats in New Hampshire and Georgia. With all the big names circling and the auto industry at the heart of the debate, don’t expect this campaign to idle quietly.