DETROIT ~ Speaking on WJR’s ‘JR Morning one week after her narrow Democratic U.S. Senate primary defeat, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens urged supporters to unite behind nominee Abdul El-Sayed and focus on defeating Republican Mike Rogers in November.
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Aug. 13, 2026 ~ One week after her narrow U.S. Senate primary loss, Congresswoman Haley Stevens joins WJR’s ‘JR Morning to explain why she’s putting party divisions aside, backing Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, and turning her attention to the November showdown with Mike Rogers. Hear what Stevens says about her political future, the lessons from her statewide campaign, and her message to supporters still processing the outcome.
(CONTINUED) “The time for me nitpicking on concerns isn’t productive,” Stevens said of divisions within the Democratic Party. “We’ve got a handful of weeks until absentee ballots drop in a general election.” Stevens said her focus is now on defeating Republican Mike Rogers, whom she described as closely aligned with President Donald Trump. “That’s where I think people should be focused,” she said. “I can’t articulate what he wants to do for Michigan, how he’s going to fight for manufacturers, educators and people’s health care.”
Stevens described the week since the election as “kind of a whirlwind” following her first statewide campaign. While she said she has not ruled out another statewide run, she called that possibility “way, way distant” and said her immediate focus is helping Democrats succeed in the 2026 election cycle. Stevens said she also remains focused on serving her House district and supporting staff members and volunteers who worked on her Senate campaign.
While urging supporters to stay engaged, Stevens said Democrats should unite behind the party’s nominee in November. “Thank you. I love you, and get out and vote,” she said, emphasizing that Democrats now have a common goal as they prepare for the general election.
