Michigan Senate Race Sees Dramatic Rift as Stevens Backs GOP Candidate Rogers

DETROIT – In an unexpected twist before the election, Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers. This decision came following a public fallout with her former primary rival, Abdul El-Sayed. Her announcement was made just two days before Election Day.

Stevens initially showed strong backing for the Democratic ticket. However, she stated in a social media video on Sunday, “Our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away, and he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate today.” She declared this after appearing alongside Rogers at a church service in Detroit.

None of this matters, El-Sayed responded, downplaying Stevens’ endorsement at a Souls to the Polls event. He focused on issues affecting Michigan families, saying many worry about outdated schools and the cost of feeding or caring for their children.

During their primary, Stevens criticized El-Sayed for associating with Hasan Piker, a streamer whom El-Sayed campaigned with. Piker stirred controversy by implying a hostile view of Jews supporting Israel. Although El-Sayed attempted to distance himself from this controversy, Stevens felt he fell short in reassuring Jewish and Black voters who had supported her previously.

Stevens’ endorsement followed weeks of mounting tension between her and El-Sayed, which intensified after her fiancé, Jason Turkish, announced his support for Rogers. Despite this, Stevens initially indicated she would still support the Democratic nominee. She urged El-Sayed to denounce an ad by Cenk Uygur of Young Turks, which blamed Israel for U.S. grocery price increases. El-Sayed’s campaign claimed no involvement with the ad and criticized it.

Stevens was supposed to appear with El-Sayed and Rep. James Clyburn at a church event in Detroit to rally party unity. But, she set a condition for her participation: El-Sayed must reject the ad and apologize for what she termed inflammatory rhetoric. The event proceeded without her.

Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers provoked a strong reaction within the Democratic Party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described her action as a “despicable betrayal.” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel expressed his disappointment, accusing Stevens of abandoning the values she once supported.

Former campaign staff members criticized Stevens on social media. Her communications director had an out-of-office email response stating his departure from Stevens’ office. This incident reflects a deeper divide within the Democratic Party, especially regarding issues related to Israel. This internal conflict is expected to persist beyond November’s election, influencing the party’s dynamics as it gears up for the 2028 presidential race.