Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, just two days before voters go to the polls, in a dramatic split with her former primary rival Abdul El-Sayed.
Stevens announced her decision after appearing alongside Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit on Sunday. She had been expected to join El-Sayed and other prominent Democrats at a separate campaign event, but was told not to attend following a bitter dispute between the two candidates.
“Abdul made it clear I was not welcome,” Stevens said. “Ninety per cent of my votes are going to Democrats. I am going to cast my vote for Senate for Mike Rogers. We can’t stand for hate. We can’t stand with Hassan Piker.”
Stevens, who narrowly lost to El-Sayed in the Democratic primary in August, said she had made the decision that morning and insisted it was a personal choice rather than a rejection of her party.
“This was a personal and private decision,” she told reporters. “I woke up this morning and I decided to go to church, and I’m here with the person who I am voting for, for United States Senate and that is Mike Rogers.”
Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers
The endorsement came after days of public tensions over Israel and an advertisement produced by the outside Rebellion PAC. Stevens had demanded that El-Sayed condemn the advert, which referred to American funding for Israel and the killing of Palestinians.
El-Sayed said his campaign was not responsible for the advert and rejected its contents. Stevens responded that a disclaimer was not the same as a condemnation.
Rogers entered the dispute by publicly praising Stevens and saying she deserved the respect of Michigan voters. He later said he had spoken to her by phone before Sunday’s church appearance.
“I am honoured to have Haley Stevens’ support today,” Rogers said. “I am happy to have earned that vote. We talked about America, what was better for our country and what was better for our state.”
He added that Stevens had reminded him at the end of their conversation that she remained a Democrat.
Stevens said she understood why members of her party were angry, particularly because she had previously backed El-Sayed after conceding the primary contest.
“This is about leadership and integrity,” she said. “There are going to be people who agree with me. People disagree with me.”
She also said there was “a big group of Democrats for Mike Rogers”, particularly in her congressional district, and that she was not seeking to damage El-Sayed’s campaign.
“I’m not trying to undermine that,” she said. “I just want to be honest about where I am, and where my heart is, at this time.”
The political fallout was immediate. Stevens’ chief of staff, Justin German, resigned after the appearance, while further departures from her team were expected.
One heckler outside the church called Stevens a “traitor” as the event ended.
Abdul El-Sayed dismisses endorsement
El-Sayed played down the endorsement when questioned by reporters at a separate campaign event in Detroit, where he appeared alongside Democratic allies including South Carolina congressman Jim Clyburn.
“At the end of the day, I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens,” he said, describing the controversy as a distraction from issues including healthcare, public education, infrastructure and the cost of living.
“None of this matters,” El-Sayed added. “What matters” is whether families can afford school supplies, food and medical bills, he said.
Stevens’ decision leaves Michigan Democrats facing a damaging public split before Tuesday’s election. The contest between El-Sayed and Rogers is being closely watched as the state’s Senate seat could help determine control of Congress.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer condemned the endorsement as a “despicable betrayal” and reaffirmed the party’s support for El-Sayed.
