Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers over her party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, two days before the election.
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers in Michigan’s US Senate race on Sunday, breaking with her party two days before voters head to the polls.
Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at a Detroit church on Nov. 1, 2026, Fox News reported, following weeks of sharp disagreements with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed over Israel and campaign messaging. Stevens narrowly lost the Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed in August.
What led to the split
Stevens announced the endorsement after a planned joint appearance with El-Sayed fell apart. In a video posted to X, Stevens said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and asked her to stay away. However, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, who helped organize the church event, said she asked Stevens not to attend because the feud had become too distracting, Al Jazeera reported.
The rift widened after Rebellion PAC, an independent political action committee founded by commentator Cenk Uygur, released an ad supporting El-Sayed. The commercial showed grocery shoppers putting back eggs to save money for military support to Israel, linking foreign aid to the domestic cost of living. Stevens labeled the commercial antisemitic and urged El-Sayed to denounce it.
El-Sayed stated that his campaign did not produce the ad and clarified during a Saturday press briefing that he disagreed with its message. Stevens also criticized El-Sayed for his ties to political streamer Hasan Piker. Standing beside Rogers outside the church on Sunday, Stevens told reporters, “We can’t stand with hate. We can’t stand with Hasan Piker.”
Stevens said she remains a Democrat and intends to vote for Democratic nominees in 90 percent of the contests on her ballot, while casting her Senate vote for Rogers. Her fiancé, Jason Turkish, an attorney who is Jewish, and her former campaign chairman David Kramer had already decided to back Rogers.
Backlash from Democrats and praise from Republicans
The endorsement produced an immediate shakeup in Stevens’ office. Her chief of staff of eight years, Justin German, announced that he and several staff members resigned in response to her decision.
National Democrats reacted with anger. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the move as a “despicable betrayal.” Progressive commentators, including Mehdi Hasan and former Obama aides Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor, criticized Stevens for crossing party lines, while former Democratic National Committee vice chair David Hogg urged Democrats to condemn her.
Republicans welcomed the move. Former President Donald Trump praised Stevens on Truth Social, calling her endorsement an act of bravery. Republican National Committee spokesman Hunter Lovell stated that her backing shows Rogers is drawing support beyond the Republican base.
Why the Michigan race matters
The race between Rogers and El-Sayed will decide who succeeds retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. If elected, El-Sayed, a former public health official and the son of Egyptian immigrants, would become the first Muslim member of the US Senate.
Control of Congress hangs on the outcome. Republicans currently hold majorities in both chambers. To take back the Senate, Democrats require a net gain of four seats, BBC News reported. Losing an incumbent Democratic seat in Michigan would expand that requirement to five seats.
Stevens carried Wayne and Oakland counties during the primary election, relying on turnout among Black and Jewish voters in key Democratic areas. Early voting across Michigan began on Oct. 24, with the final votes set to be cast on Tuesday.
