Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers two days before the midterm election, following a dispute with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Michigan Representative Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, two days before the US midterm elections on Tuesday. Stevens, a Democrat, had previously supported the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, after conceding to him in a primary contest in August.
Stevens announced her support for Rogers via a video posted to X on Sunday, following an appearance alongside him at a church in Detroit. In the video, Stevens stated, "I don't belong in Abdul's campaign" and said, "Who we are as Michiganders is not hate," adding, "That's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers."
Stevens' decision follows reported tensions between her and El-Sayed. According to NBC News, El-Sayed's campaign had asked Stevens not to attend campaign events following dueling public statements regarding an advertisement from an outside group. Stevens had described the advertisement as antisemitic, while El-Sayed stated he did not agree with its contents and had nothing to do with it.
Democratic leaders have reacted with criticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the move a "despicable betrayal" and stated, "Senate Democrats are united in our support for Abdul El-Sayed."
Republican candidate Mike Rogers said he was "honored" to have Stevens' support. He stated, "This is more a statement about standing together against hate and the future of this state and this country than it is anything else."
President Donald Trump also commented on the endorsement, stating that Stevens had been "very brave."
Within Stevens' own office, her longtime chief of staff, Justin German, announced his resignation. In a statement, German said, "As of this morning, many members of our team have resigned, including myself," and added that the team was "shocked and heartbroken by Congresswoman Stevens’ decision to support Mike Rogers."
Michigan Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel wrote on X that Stevens "is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future."
The seat is currently held by Democrat Gary Peters, who is not seeking reelection. The race is considered a key battleground in the effort by Democrats to gain control of the US Senate. Polling suggests El-Sayed is leading Rogers by approximately five to seven percentage points in the week preceding the election.
Stevens' endorsement occurs during a highly competitive midterm election cycle. The outcome of the Senate race will influence which party holds control of the chamber during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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