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Haley Stevens
American politician (born 1983) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Haley Maria Stevens[1] (born June 24, 1983) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 11th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Stevens represents most of urbanized Oakland County, including many of Detroit's northern suburbs. She is currently a candidate in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Michigan.[2]
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Early life and career
Stevens grew up in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan.[3] She went to American University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy. She also received a Master of Arts degree in social policy and philosophy from American University. In 2006, she was hired by the Michigan Democratic Party as a field organizer. In 2007 she worked for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. She transitioned to Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign after he won the Democratic primary.[4]
In 2009, Steven Rattner hired Stevens to join the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry.[5] She next worked for the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago, returning to Michigan in 2017.[6]
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U.S. House of Representatives
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Elections
2018
During January and February 2017, Stevens moved back to Rochester Hills after having lived outside Michigan to run for the United States House of Representatives seat in Michigan's 11th congressional district in April 2017. The district had been represented by two-term Republican Dave Trott.[7] While his spokesperson initially described Stevens as a "carpetbagger", Trott announced his retirement in September 2017, making the 11th district an open seat.[6][7] Stevens defeated state Representative Tim Greimel in the Democratic Party primary election[8] and Republican businesswoman Lena Epstein in the general election.[9] Her victory, and that of Elissa Slotkin in the neighboring 8th district, made it the first time since the 1930s that no Republicans represented Oakland County in the House.[10] She became the first Democrat to represent the 11th for a full term since the 11th and the 9th districts were reconfigured in 2003.[citation needed]
Stevens and Colin Allred, both alumni of the Obama administration, were selected as co-presidents of the House Democratic freshman class of the 116th United States Congress.[11]
An October 2019 town hall on curbing gun violence turned contentious as protesters at the Commerce Township gun club, where the event was held, interrupted Stevens and other lawmakers. Stevens said "This is why the NRA has got to go" in response to protestors repeatedly shouting "NRA" in reference to the National Rifle Association.[12][13]
2020
Stevens ran for reelection. She was unopposed in the Democratic primary.[14] In the general election, she defeated the Republican nominee, Eric Esshaki, in a tighter race than expected.[15]
In a 2020 floor speech, she shouted over the gavel of her own party to make a point about COVID.[16][13]
2022
As a result of population loss, Michigan lost a seat in the United States House of Representatives. The 11th District lost its share of Wayne County and was safely Democratic. The home of fellow Democrat Andy Levin was drawn into the district, and Levin sought reelection there.[17][18] Stevens' home in Rochester Hills was drawn out of the district. She opted to move to Waterford and follow most of her constituents into the 11th, setting up a primary challenge against Levin.[19] She reportedly outspent Levin by a factor of five.[17] Much of her support was driven by the pro-Israel lobby which had spent $3 million on her campaign by July.[20] Other dynamics in the race included generational and gender dynamics in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's overturning the Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.[21] Stevens defeated Andy Levin, 60%-40%.[22][23][24] Her victory was aided by $5 million from EMILY's List-affiliated donors[18] and by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which invested $4.3 million targeting Levin and hailed her victory as proof that "being pro-Israel is both good policy and good politics".[25][26][27] Despite its large spending against Levin, AIPAC's ads did not mention its motivation for supporting Stevens.[28]
Stevens won the general election against Republican Mark Ambrose with 61.3% of the vote.[29]
2024
Stevens was challenged by Ahmed Ghanim in the Democratic primary. She won renomination with 87.1% of the vote.[30] In the general election, she won reelection against Republican Nick Somberg and Green Party candidate Douglas Campbell with 58.2% of the vote.[31]
Stevens voted in March 2023 with Democrats to oppose legislation proposed by Republicans to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.[32]
Following Joe Biden's debate loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, Stevens "unequivocally" supported Biden stating, "I trust our president and know he is the one to finish the job".[33] As Kamala Harris consolidated support as the new nominee after Biden dropped out, Stevens immediately endorsed her.[34]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
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Political positions
Stevens voted to express gratitude for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amid protests against the agency in Los Angeles.[41]
Stevens visited Israel in 2019 and described the visit as transformative. She strongly opposes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement "and all attempts to delegitimize Israel's right to exist."[42] Stevens describes herself as a stalwart supporter of Israel, accusing its critics of antisemitism and characterizing it as a Jewish state, and voted to sanction the International Criminal Court in response to arrest warrants being issued for war crimes in Gaza.[43]
Personal life
Stevens lives in Birmingham, Michigan.[7] She and Rob Gulley, a software engineer she met in high school, were engaged in 2020.[44] They married on September 3, 2021.[45] On October 5, 2022, Stevens and Gulley announced their divorce.[46]
Electoral history
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See also
References
External links
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