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Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Rogers
· Confirmed
In Short: Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan Senate, surprising many and drawing criticism from fellow Democrats.
Democratic Representative Haley Stevens stunned the political world on Sunday by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan's Senate seat, a move that came just days before the midterm elections.
Stevens, who had previously backed Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, made the endorsement after El-Sayed's campaign reportedly told her she was no longer welcome at campaign events.
In a video posted to X, Stevens announced her endorsement, saying, 'Hey Michigan, as you may have seen, 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. That’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United State Senate today.'
Stevens also criticized El-Sayed for his ties to political streamer Hasan Piker, whose comments about Jewish people and Israel had sparked backlash earlier in the year.
Stevens and Rogers appeared together at Perfecting Church in Detroit earlier in the day, where they shared a warm embrace before the service.
El-Sayed's campaign had asked Stevens to stay away from his events after she called on him to disavow an anti-Israel ad.
Stevens' endorsement was seen as a dramatic reversal from her previous stance, which had been critical of Rogers but still supportive of the Democratic ticket.
Rogers leaned into Stevens' backing at a rally, calling her decision courageous.
Vice President JD Vance said the endorsement would 'certainly' help Rogers in the midterm elections.
Stevens' decision drew criticism from fellow Democrats, including Rep. Debbie Dingell, who said it was having the opposite effect of what Stevens intended.
El-Sayed's campaign reported raising more than $2.4 million on the day of Stevens' endorsement.
Anthony Jesuale, a political science professor at Central Michigan University, noted that it is uncommon for a primary candidate to endorse a would-be opponent.
What this adds
Stevens' endorsement of Rogers marks a significant shift in her political stance and has drawn criticism from fellow Democrats.
El-Sayed's campaign had led with 51.6 percent of the vote to Rogers' 46.4 percent, according to recent polling.
Background
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan Senate, surprising many and drawing criticism from fellow Democrats.
Democratic Representative Haley Stevens, who had previously endorsed Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, announced her support for Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, just days before the midterm elections.
What's confirmed
- “Hey Michigan, as you may have seen, 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. That’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United State Senate today. I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign. I do not stand with Hasan Piker, who gets trafficked on our college campuses. A dear friend of mine earlier today was saying that education is on the ballot and she is absolutely right. What our students see, what our children see, and who we are as Michiganders is not hate. And is not what we are getting out from our Democratic nominee right now,” she said in part.
- Haley Stevens stunned the political world on Sunday by formally endorsing Republican Mike Rogers over Muslim Socialist Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate contest.
- Earlier in the week, Stevens’ fiancé, who is Jewish, said he was voting for Rogers.
- "seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago."
- El-Sayed’s team then asked Stevens to stay away from his events, as POLITICO first reported.
- But Stevens’ anger at Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive Democratic nominee who beat her in the primary by less than 1 percentage point, had been simmering away for months, according to friends and people close to her.
What's still developing
- 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.
- House Democratic leaders are holding off on deciding whether to punish Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., after she endorsed a Republican in Michigan's Senate race, drawing calls from fellow Democrats for her removal from the party's House caucus.
- Over the past few weeks, the congresswoman has changed her position on supporting El-Sayed, moving from a position that was critical of the nominee but still supportive of the overall ticket, to outright joining Rogers at a Detroit church on Sunday where she heaped praise on Rogers for supporting some of her campaign platforms involving housing and Black-owned businesses.
- El Sayed led with 51.6 percent of the vote to Rogers’ 46.4.