Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat on 1 November 2026, two days before Election Day. Stevens lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August. She appeared with Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit and later posted a video stating that El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign.

In the video Stevens said, “I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign” and added that she does not stand with figures such as streamer Hasan Piker who have associated with El-Sayed. She described the endorsement as a decision made for Michigan and said she remains a Democrat who expects the party to retain a Senate majority. Rogers called the support an honor and framed it as a stand against hate.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel condemned the move, stating that Stevens had abandoned positions she previously held and that Rogers supports a national abortion ban and Trump’s agenda. Other Democratic officials described the endorsement as a betrayal. Stevens had publicly said as recently as the previous day that she still planned to back El-Sayed.

The Michigan Senate race is viewed as competitive and could influence which party controls the chamber. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority. Stevens’ appearance with Rogers at a predominantly Black church was noted by observers as an attempt to reach voters in a key demographic. The primary contest between Stevens and El-Sayed had already produced public friction, including disputes over an outside advertisement that Stevens characterized as antisemitic.

El-Sayed’s campaign had earlier called on Democrats to focus on defeating Rogers rather than revisiting the primary. Stevens’ decision adds a late complication to Democratic efforts to present a unified front. Polling in the final days has shown a tight contest, though exact margins vary by survey.

Stevens told reporters that roughly 90 percent of her votes in Congress would still be with Democrats, but that her Senate vote would go to Rogers because of what she described as the need to stand with the country. The endorsement has been widely covered by national outlets and has prompted calls from some Democratic figures for institutional responses within the party.

The midterm elections take place on 3 November. Michigan is one of several states where Senate control may be decided by narrow margins. Rogers has campaigned on economic and security issues while El-Sayed has emphasized progressive priorities. The cross-party endorsement is unusual so close to Election Day and has shifted the final stretch of campaigning in the state.