Trump Invites Democrat Haley Stevens to Join GOP After Senate Endorsement Switch
President Donald Trump has publicly invited Democratic Representative Haley Stevens to join the Republican Party after she broke ranks to endorse former Republican Representative Mike Rogers for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat over her fellow Democrat, Abdul El-Sayed.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa, Trump lauded the Michigan congresswoman for her actions, describing her as very brave for stating publicly what few others are willing to voice. Trump noted that he has never met Stevens personally, but expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of her changing party affiliation, telling the crowd that he would love to see her join the GOP and believes it could happen.
The public overture followed a social media post earlier in the day on Truth Social, where Trump praised Stevens as a highly respected figure who enjoys broad backing across Michigan, specifically highlighting support among the state’s African American and Jewish populations. He reiterated his praise in Iowa, asserting that she demonstrated an almost unprecedented level of loyalty to the people of Michigan.
The political shift unfolded on Sunday morning when Stevens abruptly withdrew her earlier August endorsement of El-Sayed. In a public message to Michigan voters, Stevens explained that she was stepping away from his campaign after being told by El-Sayed’s team that she was no longer welcome and should stay away. Citing those tensions, she announced her immediate support for Rogers.
Stevens further distanced herself from the Democratic nominee by criticizing his associations and recent campaign messaging, stating that she does not stand with political figures such as Hasan Piker, whose commentary has appeared on college campuses. She emphasized that education is on the ballot and expressed concern that the values presented by the current Democratic nominee do not reflect the character of Michiganders.
Tensions between Stevens and El-Sayed had been mounting following their competitive primary race. The friction intensified after Stevens publicly called on El-Sayed to denounce antisemitic hate following a campaign advertisement he released that criticized the allocation of U.S. tax dollars to Israel. Additionally, Stevens’ fiancé, who is Jewish, recently announced his intention to vote for Rogers.
During his Dubuque remarks, Trump also launched sharp criticisms against El-Sayed, questioning his suitability for federal office and broadening his critique to attack the wider opposition party. Trump argued that a party critical of the nation should not lead its people, framing the Michigan Senate race as a critical contest for the political landscape.
