Corporate-Backed Think Tank Funds Portugal Trip and Senate Campaign for Rep. Haley Stevens

Representative Haley Stevens, a Michigan Democrat currently vying for a vacant U.S. Senate seat, faces scrutiny over her ties to Center Forward, a pro-corporate think tank. In June 2024, the organization covered nearly $28,000 in travel expenses for Stevens and her mother to attend a luxury conference in Lisbon. The event featured panels with executives from the cryptocurrency, banking, and pharmaceutical industries. While the trip was officially categorized as a bipartisan policy forum, the group’s financial involvement with the congresswoman extends well beyond international travel.

Center Forward and its affiliated super PAC have since funneled approximately $2.4 million into television and online advertisements supporting Stevens’ Senate bid. This significant financial backing distinguishes her from primary opponents who have pledged to reject corporate contributions. While Stevens’ campaign maintains that she remains focused on promoting Michigan’s manufacturing and innovation sectors, critics argue the heavy spending highlights a deep reliance on special interests. As the competitive three-way race for the Senate seat intensifies, the intersection of Stevens’ legislative record and her corporate-funded support continues to draw attention from both voters and political observers.