Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan defended her decision to endorse Republican Mike Rogers in the state's U.S. Senate race, stating that her choice was a personal one and did not constitute a rejection of her party. The endorsement came just two days before Election Day, following Stevens's loss to Abdul El-Sayed in the August Democratic primary.
Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at Detroit's Perfecting Church on Sunday, marking a significant shift in the contest for the seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. The move surprised many within the Democratic Party, which had sought to unify behind El-Sayed after a contentious primary focused heavily on issues related to Israel and the war in Gaza.
What the Left Is Saying
Stevens stated that her endorsement was driven by specific disagreements with El-Sayed's campaign tactics rather than a broader ideological shift. She cited controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, whom El-Sayed campaigned with during the primary, as a key factor. "When you see us standing with Hasan Piker and repeated hate, it's not acceptable," Stevens said. "That's it."
The congresswoman noted that El-Sayed had disinvited her from a planned Sunday campaign event brokered by Reps. Jim Clyburn and Debbie Dingell. Stevens said she had criticized El-Sayed on social media Friday regarding an ad produced by a group supporting him that blamed high grocery prices on Israel. "Abdul was very clear. He said, 'Don't come,'" Stevens stated. She added, "I'm not turning my back on Democrats. It is this one vote."
What the Right Is Saying
Republican candidate Mike Rogers expressed gratitude for the endorsement, calling it an example of "courage in politics." Rogers stated he was "honored" to have Stevens's support. The endorsement provides Rogers with a high-profile Democratic defector to highlight in the final days of the campaign, potentially appealing to voters dissatisfied with the Democratic primary outcome.
Rogers's campaign has emphasized the rift within the Democratic Party, using Stevens's departure to argue that El-Sayed's campaign has alienated moderate Democrats and community leaders. The timing of the endorsement, occurring shortly before voters head to the polls, underscores the competitive nature of the race and the potential impact of intra-party divisions.
What the Numbers Show
A Decision Desk HQ polling average of Michigan Senate surveys shows El-Sayed leading Rogers by approximately 4 percentage points. The race is critical for control of the U.S. Senate, as Democrats need to hold the seat to maintain a majority in the upper chamber. Stevens had initially endorsed El-Sayed after her narrow primary loss, stating, "I endorsed him. I meant it when I endorsed him."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, and Michigan Democrats issued statements reaffirming their support for El-Sayed. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, said, "The stakes of this election could not be higher: Mike Rogers is a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, and together they plan to continue sowing chaos and making life unaffordable for families."
The Bottom Line
The endorsement introduces uncertainty into the final stretch of the Michigan Senate race, potentially influencing undecided voters who view the primary rift as a sign of party disunity. While Stevens insisted she remains a Democrat and will continue to vote with the party, the public break with El-Sayed highlights ongoing tensions within the party over campaign alliances and messaging strategies. Democrats have moved quickly to consolidate support behind El-Sayed, rejecting efforts to divide the party ahead of the election.