Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

Democratic U.S. Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan on Sunday, two days before voters decide the closely watched race.

Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, appeared with Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit. In a video posted afterward she said El-Sayed had 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," she said.

Stevens told reporters she remains a proud Democrat and expects to cast most of her votes with the party, but her Senate vote will go to Rogers. She said the choice was about standing with the country. Rogers said he was honored by the support and that they had spoken by phone earlier that morning.

The endorsement followed weeks of public friction. Stevens had pressed El-Sayed to disavow an outside advertisement that linked U.S. military aid to Israel with rising grocery prices. She described the ad as antisemitic. El-Sayed rejected the ad's contents, but the exchange escalated. Stevens's fiancé, Jason Turkish, has also said he plans to vote for Rogers and attended an event with Rogers and Senator Ted Cruz last week.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel called the decision a betrayal. He said Rogers has repeatedly sold out Michigan's working class, wants a national abortion ban, and has pledged to support President Donald Trump's agenda. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the endorsement as a despicable betrayal and condemned what he called racist and Islamophobic attacks on El-Sayed. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called it a betrayal of the party's values.

El-Sayed told reporters the primary is over and that he does not think about Stevens. He has continued campaigning, including an appearance at Northend Church of God in Christ in Detroit. The race is one of a handful expected to help determine control of the Senate after Tuesday's midterm elections.

Stevens had been heavily supported by the Senate Democrats' campaign arm in the primary. After losing, she said she would support the nominee. The public truce collapsed in the final days. Rogers, a former representative, is the Republican nominee against El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official.

The endorsement gives Rogers a visible moment with a Democratic officeholder as both parties make final appeals. Stevens said she does not stand with figures such as streamer Hasan Piker, who had appeared with El-Sayed earlier in the cycle before El-Sayed distanced himself. The full effect on turnout and undecided voters will not be clear until results come in on Tuesday night.

Michigan Democrats had hoped to present a united front after a divisive primary. The cross-party endorsement instead put the internal rift on display in the final 48 hours. Early voting is already under way across the state.