Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race

Democratic U.S. Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat on November 1, 2026, two days before voters cast ballots in the midterm elections. Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, appeared with Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit and posted a video endorsement later that day.

In the video, Stevens said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and that she should stay away. She stated that he was right and that this was why she was endorsing Rogers. She added that she does not belong in El-Sayed's campaign and referenced left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who had campaigned with El-Sayed. Stevens described herself as still a proud Democrat and said her decision was about standing with the country.

The endorsement followed weeks of public tension between Stevens and El-Sayed, largely over support for Israel. As recently as Saturday night, Stevens had indicated she would stick with the Democratic nominee. On Sunday she called Rogers in the morning to confirm the endorsement, according to accounts of the sequence. Rogers said he was honored to have her support.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel condemned the move as a betrayal and said Stevens had abandoned positions she claimed to care about, including opposition to a national abortion ban and Trump's agenda. Other Democrats called it a despicable betrayal. Some called for her expulsion from the party or other sanctions. El-Sayed's campaign had earlier said Stevens seemed intent on relitigating the primary.

The Michigan Senate race is one of the closest contests that could determine control of the chamber. Republicans currently hold a slim majority. Stevens' cross-party appearance at a predominantly Black church and her endorsement give Rogers a late photo opportunity as both parties target Black and Jewish voters. Stevens previously posted in August that Rogers would be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump's agenda and that Michigan could not afford to give MAGA another Senate seat.

Stevens defended the decision in interviews, including with Anderson Cooper on CNN, calling it a weight off her shoulders and attributing the change to El-Sayed becoming angrier. She said 90 percent of her votes would still be for Democrats and that her Senate vote was for Rogers. Protesters at the church event shouted traitor. The endorsement came after an outside ad that Stevens viewed as antisemitic led to further friction; El-Sayed rejected the ad's contents, but tensions persisted.

Control of the Senate hangs on a handful of races, including Michigan. Democrats had sought a united front behind El-Sayed after the primary. The last-minute split adds uncertainty in the final days of campaigning. Rogers welcomed the support and noted their phone conversation earlier that morning. Election Day is November 3, 2026.

Stevens lost the primary to El-Sayed and endorsed him afterward, but the relationship deteriorated. Her staff and colleagues reacted with surprise and anger according to multiple reports. The episode highlights internal Democratic divisions in a state that both parties view as essential for Senate majority math.