Michigan Democrat Endorses GOP Senate Candidate Days Before Vote

Outgoing Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat from Michigan, endorsed her state’s Republican U.S. Senate candidate on Sunday morning. The move came days before the November 3 midterm elections and followed a public dispute with the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens posted a video from an event at Perfecting Church in Detroit, where she stood alongside GOP nominee Mike Rogers. She stated that El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. "And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today," Stevens said in the clip.

The endorsement arrives in a tight race that could determine control of the Senate. Stevens had previously run for the Senate seat but lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August. She initially supported El-Sayed but the two grew estranged over concerns regarding antisemitism. Stevens accused El-Sayed of not denouncing those sentiments strongly enough. On Friday, she demanded he reject a controversial ad blaming Michigan’s cost of living on U.S. aid to Israel. El-Sayed’s campaign said it was not behind the ad but supported his candidacy. He told reporters he did not agree with the ad’s contents but did not want to "play the condemn game" about an unaffiliated piece.

Tensions escalated before a planned joint campaign event in Detroit on Sunday. Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, disinvited Stevens from the appearance. "There’s nothing to be gained by the two of them being in the same place," Dingell said. Instead of joining El-Sayed, Stevens attended the event with Rogers. Later that night on CNN, Stevens described the split as stemming from El-Sayed’s "anger and lack of kindness." She referenced his past associations with political influencer Hasan Piker and Piker’s uncle, Cenk Uygur, whose group produced the anti-Israel ad. Stevens compared El-Sayed to Graham Platner, a former Democratic nominee from Maine who withdrew from his race in July.

Stevens said she remains a "really proud Democrat" who wants her party to win the Senate. However, her sudden switch has created a rift within the party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the endorsement a "despicable betrayal." He posted that Senate Democrats were "united" in their support for El-Sayed. Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, said Stevens "has chosen to dangerously betray Michigan families’ healthcare, freedoms and future." Slotkin, a Michigan Senator, posted that anyone making an election "about themselves" should reconsider their actions. Former Representative Susan Wild, who was a roommate of Stevens in Washington, warned that Stevens would be a "pariah" among her Democratic colleagues. Former Representative Andy Levin called the move "unconscionable, beyond the pale."

Internal support for Stevens has also fractured. Justin German, Stevens’ chief of staff for eight years, resigned on Sunday. In a statement, German said the team supported El-Sayed and that the election was "too important to sow division." Logan Basch, the communications director, also appears to have left, with an auto-reply noting he was no longer with the office as of November 1. Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, posted that Stevens is not a current member of the party and will not be in the future.

President Donald Trump, who has not met Stevens, invited her to join the Republican Party. Speaking at a rally in Iowa on Sunday, Trump said, "Haley said what few people are willing to say. I think I’d probably.. I’d love her to join the Republican Party actually." House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he sent Stevens a note praising her courage. Rogers, the GOP nominee, touted the endorsement on social media, saying Stevens "showed courage and bravery in putting Michigan first."

The endorsement lands less than 48 hours before voting begins. It marks a rare instance of a sitting or outgoing member switching sides in a general election. The Michigan Senate race remains a key battleground for both parties. Stevens’ departure from the Democratic fold has intensified the narrative conflict in the campaign.