Stevens Endorses Republican Rogers in Michigan Senate Race
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat on Sunday, November 1, two days before the election. Stevens lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed earlier this year and had supported his campaign until the endorsement.
The decision followed a dispute over an advertisement from Rebellion PAC that linked grocery costs to U.S. support for Israel. El-Sayed’s campaign said it had no involvement with the ad. Stevens also objected to El-Sayed’s association with political commentator Hasan Piker, who has campaigned with him.
In a video statement, Stevens said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. She subsequently appeared with Rogers at a Detroit news conference after the two attended church. Asked about the reaction to her decision, Stevens said she understood that people were upset.
El-Sayed, speaking outside a church with fellow Democrats, declined to dwell on the endorsement. He instead emphasized concerns he said Michigan families face, including school conditions, food costs and medical bills.
The disagreement reflects a broader division over Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Stevens has been a strong supporter of Israel, while El-Sayed has described its actions there as genocide. Her fiancé, Jason Turkish, had endorsed Rogers earlier, citing concerns about antisemitism.
The endorsement prompted resignations from Stevens’ congressional staff. Her chief of staff, Justin German, said he and other departing staff members supported El-Sayed. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Michigan Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, and the Michigan Democratic Party chair also criticized Stevens’ decision. President Donald Trump praised it.
Rogers and El-Sayed are competing for the seat Peters is leaving after deciding not to seek re-election. With Republicans holding a narrow Senate majority, the Michigan result could help determine which party controls the chamber.