Stevens Endorses Rogers, Fracturing Michigan Senate Race

Rep. Haley Stevens announced on Sunday that she is endorsing Republican candidate Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate in Michigan. The decision creates an immediate split in the state's Democratic establishment just days before the general election. Stevens previously stated she would support the Democratic ticket and planned to attend a rally for her former primary opponent, Abdul El-Sayed.

In a video posted to social media, Stevens addressed the discord. She said, "Hey, Michigan, as you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away." She continued, "And he's right, and that's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today. I don't belong in Abdul's campaign."

The rupture followed a series of conflicting public statements between the two Democrats. Stevens had expected El-Sayed to criticize an ad from an outside group that she described as antisemitic. El-Sayed responded by accusing Stevens of trying to relitigate the primary. NBC News reported that El-Sayed's campaign asked Stevens to stop attending events after these statements were released. Stevens referenced El-Sayed's ties to commentator Hasan Piker in her endorsement video. She said, "I do not stand with Hasan Piker, who gets trafficked on our college campuses."

The Michigan Democratic Party moved quickly to distance itself from the congresswoman. Chairman Curtis Hertel wrote on X that Stevens is not a current member of the party and will not be in the future. El-Sayed addressed reporters later in the day, stating he was focused on the millions of voters in the state. He said, "At the end of the day, I actually don't think about Haley Stevens."

Rogers welcomed the endorsement shortly after it was announced. He described himself as honored by the support. He said, "This is more a statement about standing together against hate and the future of this state and this country than it is anything else." He noted that Stevens reminded him on their call that she remains a Democrat.

Democratic leaders reacted with sharp criticism. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Senate Democrats are united in support of El-Sayed. He called Rogers a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors. Sen. Elissa Slotkin posted on X that she had been working in Sterling Heights, noting that voters were worried about the cost of living. She wrote, "So anyone who makes an election this important about themselves, and not Michiganders and our democracy, should think hard about whether they are serving the greater good."

Stevens' chief of staff, Justin German, resigned along with several other staff members. In a statement, German said the team was shocked and heartbroken by the decision. He urged supporters to vote for Abdul and Democrats up and down the ballot. President Donald Trump praised Stevens on Truth Social, calling her move an act of bravery. More than 2 million votes have already been cast in Michigan, according to NBC News data.