Stevens endorses Republican Rogers after Michigan Democratic primary defeat

Haley Stevens, the former Democratic candidate for Michigan’s Senate nomination, has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers less than 48 hours before an election that could help determine control of the U.S. Senate. Her decision followed a bitter primary campaign against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and immediately unsettled state and national party leaders.

Stevens announced the endorsement Sunday after attending a Detroit-area church service with Rogers, the Republican candidate backed by President Donald Trump. She said in a video that El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and should stay away. “And he’s right,” Stevens said, before declaring her support for Rogers.

The endorsement was particularly striking because Stevens had publicly reaffirmed only days earlier that she would vote for the Democratic nominee. She described her support for Rogers as “this one vote” and said she was not turning her back on Democrats. Rogers, standing beside her after the service, said he was honored by her backing.

Stevens and El-Sayed had been scheduled to appear together at a church event intended to demonstrate Democratic unity and encourage turnout in the Detroit area. Instead, Stevens appeared with Rogers, while El-Sayed campaigned at another place of worship with prominent Democrats including Representative Jim Clyburn, Representative Debbie Dingell, Senator Angela Alsobrooks and state Senator Mallory McMorrow. El-Sayed, who defeated Stevens by a slim margin in the August primary, played down the defection when questioned later Sunday.

He said his focus was on matters affecting voters, including the high cost of living, and added: “None of this matters.” His campaign is competing to retain the seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. Democratic leaders reacted sharply. Michigan party chair Curtis Hertel said Stevens had abandoned what she claimed to support and said the party would reject efforts to divide it.

He later wrote that Stevens was no longer a member of the Michigan Democratic Party and would not be one in the future. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who had backed Stevens during the primary, called the endorsement a betrayal. The move also prompted an immediate staff rupture.

Stevens’ longtime chief of staff resigned, and additional departures were expected, according to a person familiar with the developments who spoke anonymously about internal matters. An aide said staff members were “shocked and heartbroken.” The dispute reflects tensions that had persisted since the primary. Stevens is a strong supporter of Israel, while El-Sayed is a prominent critic of the U.S.

ally. El-Sayed has also faced criticism over past remarks about a Michigan synagogue attack and appearances with controversial streamer Hasan Piker. Democrats had been seeking to build enthusiasm among Black and Jewish voters in key Detroit-area strongholds, making the late endorsement an especially unwelcome disruption.