Candidate Profile: Haley Stevens For U.S. House

Haley Stevens, a Rochester Hills resident is running for U.S. House of Representatives District 11.

Age: 37
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Family:N/A
Occupation:United States Representative for Michigan’s 11th District
Previous elected experience:United States Representative for Michigan’s 11th District
Family members in government:N/A
Campaign website: https://haleystevensforcongress.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The single most pressing issue facing our state is the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis. First and foremost, we must address the public health component of this crisis, which means getting necessary resources to our essential workers on the frontlines, and prioritizing testing, contact tracing, and vaccine development. We cannot rebuild our economy until we effectively contain the spread of this virus. Congress must also pass an additional COVID-19 relief package including an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program, an additional round of economic impact payments, and support for struggling state and local governments.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
In my first term in office, I brought a pragmatic, problem-solving perspective to my role as a Member of Congress. As the Chair of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, I was eager to work across the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation to help Michigan’s economy. I will keep finding consensus with Republicans and Democrats alike to deliver for the 11th District. I strongly believe we must protect and improve the Affordable Care Act, while my opponent has called to ‘fully repeal’ the only credible plan to protect people with pre-existing conditions. The Affordable Care Act expanded healthcare access to thousands of Michigan families, and repealing the law would have devastating consequences for them.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I’ve helped save Michigan’s economy before, and I’m ready to do it again. When Michigan’s auto industry was on the brink during the Great Recession, I served as Chief of Staff to President Obama’s auto rescue task force, helping save more than 200,000 jobs and getting Michigan’s economy back on its feet. Two years ago, I was elected on the promise to use this experience to strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing economy and provide accessible, transparent leadership for the families of the 11th District. In my first term, I delivered on that promise. I have worked with my colleagues across the aisle to pass legislation to support Michigan workers and families. When the USMCA trade deal was not popular with many Democrats, I pushed for a vote on that agreement because I will always put the needs of this district and our economy first.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
Governor Whitmer’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly saved lives and protected our economy from further damage. So far, Michigan has avoided a major resurgence of COVID-19, which allows us to begin the process of rebuilding our economy. Getting Michiganders back to work safely is my top priority. As a federal lawmaker, I will continue to fight for an additional bipartisan relief package to support struggling state and local governments, because revenue losses at the state and local level threaten to harm our public schools and first responders. I also support an additional round of Economic Impact Payments for low- and middle-income Michiganders to help families who have been out of work for an extended period of time.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
We are at an inflection point in this country when it comes to racial injustice and systemic discrimination, and real reform is needed. I was proud to work alongside the Congressional Black Caucus this summer to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill that includes a number of key reforms like a federal ban on chokeholds, ending no-knock warrants, mandating body and dashboard cameras, and investing in training, community policing, and programs designed to stop racial profiling. I do not support calls to defund local police departments, and believe we will see better results through long-overdue reforms like those included in the Justice in Policing Act.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
In addition to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic downturn, we have to address the generational challenges that existed before this crisis. We have to repair the damage done to our public schools by the Betsy DeVos agenda. It is long past time for a major federal investment in our crumbling and outdated infrastructure. Lastly, addressing the catastrophic threat of climate change is the challenge of our generation. I believe we can and must address these issues in a way that creates jobs and secures a better future for the next generation of Michiganders. I am eager to reach bipartisan consensus to deliver for Michigan and our country.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I was born in Rochester Hills, where I live today, and I’m honored to represent the community that raised me. My parents met at Oakland University, and I’m a proud graduate of Seaholm High School in Birmingham. In Congress, I have delivered for Michigan’s economy, working to bring advanced manufacturing jobs to Michigan and growing workforce training programs to close our skills gap. Michigan manufacturers are incredible -- that’s why I instituted Manufacturing Mondays, a program that highlights our best-in-class products and gives me a chance to hear about the problems facing our workforce. I have continuously worked across the aisle to pass legislation to strengthen federal investment in advanced manufacturing, secure better trade policies for Michigan workers and businesses, and encourage more women to pursue opportunities in STEM. We know what Washington Republicans will do if they take back the House: relentless attempts to take away people’s healthcare, tax breaks for the super-wealthy that balloon our national debt, and full implementation of the DeVos agenda to shortchange our students. Michiganders need leaders who will fight for middle-class families, and I am fired up to keep going.

This article originally appeared on the Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch