Stevens Leads New Poll Following $6M Ad Run Funded By Unknown Group

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/01/2026) For the first time in three weeks, Judge Judy viewers will no longer be interrupted by U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham)'s U.S. Senate political campaign ad.

After a 23-day, nearly $6 million stint by the Center for Democratic Priorities, according to AdImpact, the outside group's ads backing Stevens have come off the air — at least for now — after reaching Michigan voters during morning news, daytime television, NBA playoff games and prime-time programs.

Coincidentally, Stevens is taking a narrow lead in a new TechnoMetrica (TIPP) Poll of the Democratic primary for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. The poll, conducted May 20-23, showed Stevens at 35 percent, former Detroit Health Director Abdul El-Sayed at 31 percent and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) at 13 percent.

The poll was conducted as an online survey for the League of American Workers using a sample of 1,456 registered voters. TIPP said their sample was drawn from their network of panel partners. The founder of the League of American Workers, Steve Cortes, served as President Donald Trump's campaign spokesperson in 2016 and 2020; he was also the senior advisor for strategy and headed outreach to Hispanic voters.

"This poll reinforces what poll after poll has consistently shown: Haley Stevens is the strongest Democrat in the race and best positioned to defeat Mike Rogers in November," Joetta Appiah, spokesperson for Stevens' campaign said. "Momentum for Haley continues to build following major endorsements from former Governor Jennifer Granholm and Senator Debbie Stabenow, adding to the broad coalition she's building across the state. Haley continues to earn strong support from independent and Black voters, and the data continues to show she is in the strongest position to win this seat for Democrats in November."

McMorrow's campaign spokesperson, Hannah Lindow, didn't seem too worried about the results of the poll.

"The same day the Michigan GOP chair said they do not want to run against Mallory in the general election, a shady MAGA group run by a top Trump official released a fake poll trying to wish that into reality," Lindow said. “Every poll in this race has shown that as Michiganders get to know Mallory, they like Mallory — and she's the only candidate who can win the primary, unite the party, and defeat Mike Rogers in November."

The same went for El-Sayed's campaign team.

"Both in recent polls and at campaign stops across the state, Abdul has demonstrated palpable momentum," Roxie Richner, El-Sayed's campaign spokesperson said. "Michiganders are fired up about his message: money out of politics, money in your pocket, and Medicare for All. While others in the race lean on millions of dollars from shadowy pop-up AIPAC shell PACs, Abdul is building a grassroots movement to fight for everyday Michiganders and beat Mike Rogers in November."

The group that funded the ads leading up to the poll was the Center for Democratic Priorities. They funded two television ads backing Stevens: "Hold ICE Accountable," which ran from May 9 through May 31, and "Abuse of Power," which ran from May 22 through May 31.

According to AdImpact, "Hold ICE Accountable" generated 302 million impressions and cost $2.79 million. Its top programs included FOX 17 Morning News, Good Morning America, Judge Judy, The Young and the Restless, Jeopardy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBS Mornings, Today and Wheel of Fortune.

The second ad, "Abuse of Power," generated 117 million impressions and cost $2.01 million, according to AdImpact. Its top programs included FOX 17 Morning News, Good Morning America, the NBA Playoffs, Jeopardy, Judge Judy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Today, FOX 2 Morning, The Young and the Restless and Wheel of Fortune.

Together, the ads reached television markets across Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, Traverse City, Cadillac, Marquette and Alpena, among others.

But the group backing these ads remains mysterious, providing a one-page inscrutable website with little to no information.

The Center for Democratic Priorities was registered Oct. 30, 2025, in Dover, Delaware, though publicly available information about the group's donors is untraceable. Stevens' campaign said that there's "no way" for their campaign to know who is funding that group.

The spending in particular has become a flashpoint in the race, especially among Stevens' Democratic opponents.

The Detroit News reported that El-Sayed, of Ann Arbor, has suggested without evidence that the group could be connected to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC. His campaign has pointed to the Center for Democratic Priorities sharing a vendor, Waterfront Strategies, with groups tied to AIPAC-backed spending in other races.

In the same report, The Detroit News said that TV station paperwork listed a board officer for the Center for Democratic Priorities as John JONES. An individual with the same name was listed as treasurer for Blue Wave Action, a group that spent $2.3 million during the 2024 Democratic primary in Michigan's 13th Congressional District against challengers to U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit).

Blue Wave Action was later revealed to be funded by two groups tied to AIPAC: United Democracy Project and Voters For Responsive Government, according to The Detroit News.

As of last Friday, AIPAC has denied affiliation with the Center for Democratic Priorities, PBS reported.

The Center for Democratic Priorities has not responded to questions from MIRS at the time of publication.