Joe Biden’s days on the campaign trail are over, but the implications of his presidency still weigh heavily on candidates, particularly in Michigan, where Rep. Hailey Stevens (D-MI) is vying for a Senate seat.
Recent opinion polling indicates that Stevens, who is heavily connected to Biden through her congressional voting record, faces unique challenges in the general election. Her alignment with Biden poses what some are calling a significant hurdle for her campaign.
As the election season kicks off, ties to the Biden administration are proving problematic for Democrats nationwide. This has led figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris to suggest that candidates should create distance from Biden’s policies and address the administration’s shortcomings as they approach the November election.
However, Harris struggled to make that distinction, and Michigan voters responded unfavorably, ultimately aiding Donald Trump’s return to power.
Stevens finds herself particularly exposed due to Biden’s economic challenges, border issues, and prominent failures on the global stage. She has voted with Biden 90% of the time, which critics say makes her more vulnerable.
Stevens has been a staunch supporter of Biden; however, her backing wavered after a tough debate performance that separated her from the Democratic mainstream and hindered Biden’s re-election bid.
Following the presidential debate on July 18, 2024, and just days before Biden exited the race, Stevens asked in a social media clip, “Did Joe Biden disappoint you?” She defended the administration, claiming it was “perfectly executed.”
In another post, she stated her support for the Biden-Harris ticket, but shortly after that, as calls for Biden to step down gained momentum, she shared a post from Senator John Fetterman that read, “F *** That.” Later, she reiterated to Axios that she didn’t believe Biden should withdraw from the race.
Almost two weeks following the debate, Stevens expressed renewed support for Biden, asserting that she trusts him to do the job well.
Stevens is known for her spirited speeches in Congress, notably donning pink latex gloves amid the Covid pandemic.
