U.S. Representative Haley Stevens made a striking political pivot on Sunday, crossing party lines to endorse Republican nominee Mike Rogers in Michigan’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race instead of her fellow Democrat, Abdul El-Sayed.
The endorsement follows Stevens’ primary defeat earlier this year, where she lost the Democratic nomination to El-Sayed. Tensions between the two Democrats had mounted in the days leading up to the announcement, fueled by an escalating dispute involving a political action committee ad and public remarks from El-Sayed’s camp advising Stevens to stay away from his campaign.
“Hey Michigan, as you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said I’m no longer welcome in his campaign, and I should stay away, and he’s right,” Stevens stated in a video published to X.
“And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today,” she added.
El-Sayed’s campaign has faced criticism from Stevens over his associations, specifically pointing to controversial political commentator Hasan Piker, who has campaigned alongside the Democratic nominee.
“I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign. I do not stand with Hasan Piker, who gets trafficked on our college campuses,” Stevens said.
Later on Sunday, Stevens appeared publicly alongside Rogers in Detroit after attending church together that morning. Addressing reporters at a joint press conference, the congresswoman acknowledged the backlash her cross-party backing has generated.
“I’m sorry people are upset,” Stevens told reporters. “I understand that.”
The competitive Senate contest pits Rogers against El-Sayed for the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who opted not to seek re-election. The outcome of the Michigan race is expected to be a critical factor in the broader battle for control of the U.S. Senate.
