Stevens backs GOP rival in Michigan

The race for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan entered its final stretch with a fractured Democratic coalition. Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday. She made the announcement after attending a church service with him in Detroit. The move stunned party officials who had expected a united front to boost voter turnout.

Stevens explained the decision in a video released Sunday. She said El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. "And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today," Stevens said. Her longtime chief of staff resigned immediately after the announcement. The aide told reporters they were shocked and heartbroken by the reversal.

Abdul El-Sayed dismissed the endorsement when asked by reporters later that day. He said he is focused on the high cost of living. "At the end of the day I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens," El-Sayed said. He added that none of the drama matters as the election approaches.

Tensions between the two Democrats have existed since the August primary. Stevens is a strong supporter of Israel, while El-Sayed has criticized the U.S. ally. El-Sayed also faced scrutiny for past remarks about a synagogue attack and his appearances with streamer Hasan Piker. The primary was bitter, with tens of millions of dollars in outside spending poured into the race.

State Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel rejected the attempt to divide the party. He wrote that Stevens abandoned everything she claims to care about. "We reject the attempts by Stevens and bad-faith actors to divide our party and undermine our momentum," Hertel wrote. He also noted that Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer denounced the endorsement. He called it a despicable betrayal from Rep. Stevens. President Donald Trump praised Stevens in a Truth Social post. He called her a highly respected Democrat who showed bravery. Trump said her support from Black and Jewish voters in Michigan is virtually unprecedented.

Early voting began on Oct. 24. More than 1.8 million people had voted as of Friday. The 2022 midterm election saw 4.5 million ballots cast in the state. Keeping Michigan in Democratic hands is vital for the party to win a majority in the final two years of Trump’s second term.