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Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens Endorses GOP Candidate Mike Rogers
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In Short: Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, surprising many.
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, a move that came as a shock to many.
Stevens made the endorsement in a video posted on social media Sunday, stating that she could no longer support Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
"Our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away, and he's right," Stevens said in her video.
Stevens cited El-Sayed's backing from political streamer Hasan Piker as a reason for her decision.
"This is a state of 10 million people who deserve a lot better from their government. I'm a lot more focused on the 9,999,998 that are not the ones who are talking about," Stevens added.
Stevens emphasized that her decision was not political but moral, saying, "This was not a political decision. It’s a moral one," her fiancé Jason Turkish said.
Turkish also appeared at a Rogers event Wednesday night, further highlighting the shift.
Stevens' endorsement came just days after she insisted she was still going to support El-Sayed despite their escalating public feud.
El-Sayed's campaign reportedly asked Stevens to stay away from his events, as Politico first reported.
"This is not a political decision. It’s a moral one," Stevens said, emphasizing her commitment to her constituents over party loyalty.
President Donald Trump applauded Stevens for her endorsement, calling her a highly respected Democrat.
Stevens represents a large Jewish district in suburban Detroit, and her endorsement of Rogers could have significant implications for the race.
What this adds
Stevens' endorsement came after her appearance at a service alongside Rogers at Detroit’s Perfecting Church.
Stevens' endorsement could have significant implications for the race, given her strong support among Jewish voters in suburban Detroit.
Background
Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens stunned colleagues by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers in the Senate race against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Democratic Rep Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, surprising many.
What's confirmed
- "Our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away, and he's right," Stevens said in a video posted on social media Sunday.
- Stevens said she remains "a very proud Democrat" who loves Michigan but could not support El-Sayed, citing his backing from political streamer Hasan Piker.
- Trump: "Her following is huge, and the level of respect from the People of Michigan, especially our African American and Jewish populations, is virtually unparalleled. Haley said what few people are willing to say” President Trump applauded Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., for endorsing Mike Rogers for Senate.
- "Wow, this is BIG. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a Highly Respected Democrat, who narrowly lost in the Primary to Abdul Mohamed El-Sayed, and who has been breathlessly wined and dined by the Dumocrats to help in their Michigan Campaign for the United States Senate against Mike Rogers, has just ENDORSED Mike Rogers for Senate!" he wrote on Truth Social.
- “And he’s right, and that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today,” she said.
What's still developing
- Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) noted that Senate Democrats are “united” in their support for Democrat Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed.
- He argued that candidates seeking federal office should clearly distinguish between the United States’ democratic allies and hostile governments.
- Stevens, who represents a large Jewish district in suburban Detroit, unloaded on El-Sayed Friday in a series of interviews with the New York Times published early Saturday morning.
- Obama taped two dozen ads last week for Democratic candidates for governor and Senate that will be released in the coming days and weeks, in addition to more campaign stops soon to be announced.
- Some ads that supported Stevens showed Obama praising her, and she outperformed El-Sayed in Wayne County, winning about 51% of the Democratic primary vote compared with 45% for El-Sayed.