Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the United States Senate in Michigan on November 1, two days before voters cast ballots in the midterm elections. The move ends her earlier support for Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and injects fresh uncertainty into a race that could help decide control of the chamber.

Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August, appeared with Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit on Sunday. In a video posted afterward she said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. "And he's right," she stated. "And that's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."

Stevens cited disagreements over an outside advertisement that linked U.S. military aid to Israel with rising grocery prices, which she called antisemitic. She also said she does not stand with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who had appeared with El-Sayed during the primary. Rogers described the endorsement as a statement against hate and for the future of the state.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel called the decision a betrayal and noted Rogers' past positions on abortion and alignment with President Donald Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled it a "despicable betrayal." Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin used similar language. Stevens has maintained that she remains a Democrat.

The Senate seat is open because Democrat Gary Peters is retiring. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the chamber. An upset or close result in Michigan could shift the balance. El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official, entered the general election as the Democratic nominee after defeating Stevens and other contenders.

The primary itself had been contentious. Stevens, a three-term House member from suburban Detroit, had the backing of national Democratic leaders. El-Sayed drew support from progressive groups. After the primary, Stevens initially endorsed the winner, but the relationship deteriorated in the final weeks.

Rogers, a former House member and national security official, has run as a conventional Republican. His campaign has focused on the economy, border security and criticism of Democratic policies under the Biden administration. The last-minute cross-party endorsement gives him a high-profile Democratic ally at a moment when both parties are locking in late-deciding voters.

Polling in the race has been tight for months. National Democrats had hoped a unified party would improve their chances of holding the seat. The public split between Stevens and El-Sayed has instead produced headlines about internal Democratic tensions in a battleground state.

Voters head to the polls on November 4. Early voting and absentee ballots are already in circulation. The endorsement does not change the ballot, but it adds a new variable to the final 48 hours of campaigning in Michigan and to the broader midterm calculation in Washington.

Stevens' decision is unusual for a sitting member of Congress this close to Election Day. It reflects the depth of the personal and policy disagreements that emerged after the August primary. Both campaigns will now spend the remaining time arguing over what the endorsement means for Michigan voters.