Democratic Representative Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched Senate race on Sunday. This endorsement came just days before an important election that could influence the control of the Senate. She delivered her support after appearing with Rogers at a church service in Detroit. Stevens was previously expected to appear with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed on the same day but was dropped due to a growing dispute over Israel during the final days of the campaign.

Stevens, who narrowly lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August, announced her support for Rogers in a video. She stated that El-Sayed had made it clear that her involvement was no longer welcome in his campaign. Stevens said, “And he’s right, and that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today.”

Michigan is a critical Senate seat that Democrats are keen to retain to gain control of the chamber. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority and are defending 22 of the 35 seats up for election. For Democrats to reach a 51-seat majority, they must retain all 13 seats they currently hold and flip four Republican seats. A Republican victory in Michigan would solidify their position, making it more challenging for Democrats.

Stevens-El-Sayed Rift Explained

The tension between Stevens and El-Sayed emerged from a closely contested Democratic primary earlier in the year. El-Sayed won with a slim margin of 48.4% to 47.6%, reflecting broader ideological divides within the Democratic Party. Stevens received backing from the party establishment, while El-Sayed attracted support from prominent progressives. Conflicts over Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza were notable points of contention between their supporters.

During an October debate, El-Sayed was asked which posed a greater threat to the United States, Iran or Israel. He declined to choose, stating both countries had their own dangers and expressed concerns over being pushed into war. Some Republicans have tried to link El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood, accusations he has consistently denied.

The rivalry resurfaced in the campaign’s final days, partly fueled by an advertisement from an outside group that tied U.S. support for Israel to grocery prices. Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, also chose to support Rogers. Stevens criticized El-Sayed’s remarks about Israel, urging him to distance himself from an ad she called antisemitic. El-Sayed had no connection to the ad and distanced himself from it when questioned by reporters.

Muslim Brotherhood Allegations Against El-Sayed

Republicans have attempted to connect El-Sayed with the Muslim Brotherhood, though these claims lack evidence. Senator Ted Cruz raised this during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in August. At their final debate, Rogers accused El-Sayed of association with the group, which El-Sayed vehemently denied, criticizing Rogers for using his family to bolster the claim.

Former President Trump also called El-Sayed a “Muslim radical,” associating him with the Muslim Brotherhood, despite denials. The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928 and is considered a terrorist organization by some governments, though the United States does not label it as such.

What Polls Show in the Michigan Senate Race

Recent polls generally present El-Sayed as leading Rogers, but by varying margins. A CNN/SSRS poll from late October showed El-Sayed ahead by 49% to 42% among likely voters, with a margin of error of 4.7 percentage points. A Marist survey showed a closer race with El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48%, within the margin of error. A YouGov poll also showed a narrow competition. These surveys were conducted before Stevens’ endorsement, so the impact of her decision remains unclear.

For further information, contact Newsweek editors Anthony Murray and Steve Mollman.