"Haley Will Take Money From Anyone"
As Iran War rages on new report reveals U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has accepted at least $280K from weapons manufacturers and donors that back President Trump
AIPAC, one of the War’s biggest advocates, spends tens of millions to support Stevens
DETROIT — SACRED Acts’ newly published report reveals that U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), running to replace U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, has accepted over $280,000 in donations from weapons contractors that profit from conflicts like the Iran War and donors that back President Trump, his “MAGA” movement and the Republican Party since Jan. 6, 2021. Federal Election Commission records show that Stevens has taken at least $171,000 in political contributions tied to top weapons manufacturers, despite her recent calls to end the Iran War which she said was a cost burden on Michigan taxpayers. Moreover, Stevens has benefitted from just under $30 million in contributions and independent expenditures paid for by one of the Iran War’s biggest advocates, Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Even as she assured Michigan voters that she would stand up to the “Trump-Musk chaos agenda,” Stevens accepted more than $112,000 from wealthy donors that support President Donald Trump, the MAGA movement and the Republican Party, including $50,000 from the PAC of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.
This deep hypocrisy is revealed in the new analysis from SACRED Acts, Haley Will Take Money From Anyone, of campaign fundraising reports from her current candidacy for U.S. Senate and past political campaigns.
“Public support for this war is collapsing, but Haley Stevens is telling Michigan voters one thing while taking money from the weapons industry and the interests that want the war to continue,” said Neha Patel, Board Chair at SACRED Acts (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy Acts). “Can she really work to end a war that's paying her donors?"
Key Findings
- Stevens accepted $171,826 in donations from the political action committees (PACs) and employees of major weapons contractors for her Michigan Senate campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission; and
- $112,100 from donors that have given heavily to PACs supporting Donald Trump, the MAGA movement and the Republican Party since the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt.
- Additionally, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, its super PAC and its donors have spent just under $30 million to try to make sure Stevens wins the Democratic nomination this August. This includes more than $1.1 million in donations to Stevens House and Senate committees.
Given the magnitude of this spending in support of Stevens, voters have a right to know the full extent of her financial ties to MAGA donors and pro-Iran War interest groups before they decide whom to support in the August primary. The candidate elected may represent Michigan for multiple terms, making it crucial the elected official is truly aligned with the needs of the people and not the companies profiting from Trump’s endless war in Iran.
“The vast majority of Americans disapprove of President Trump and his war. But instead of siding with the people, Rep. Stevens is taking money from weapons manufacturers and Trump’s richest allies. Michigan voters deserve a Senator who will stand up for their values and reject money from groups they openly disagree with,” said Cyrus Rab, Co-Founder and Board Member of SACRED Acts.
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SACRED Acts renews our democracy through public education, narrative change, organizing, and action research. We build multiracial, multifaith, anti-caste coalitions rooted in equality, nonviolence, and collective liberation. We expose how wealthy South Asian Americans use money and influence to advance extremist policies that threaten democracy and the public good. We equip leaders, journalists, and the public with verified insight to understand these forces clearly.