Michigan Democrat endorses Republican Mike Rogers for Senate in stunning party break

In an extraordinary political development just two days before the midterm elections, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, rejecting her own party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in the Democratic primary in August.

According to CNBC, Stevens announced her endorsement after attending a church service in Detroit alongside Rogers, who has the backing of President Donald Trump.

“Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away,” Stevens said in a video announcing her decision. “And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today.”

The reversal followed days of escalating tensions between Stevens and El-Sayed, particularly over Israel and antisemitism.

Stevens, a strong supporter of Israel, had demanded that El-Sayed condemn a political advertisement produced by an outside progressive group linking American military assistance to Israel with rising grocery prices. El-Sayed distanced himself from the advertisement, saying his campaign had not produced it and that he disagreed with its contents.

The controversy also involved left-wing political commentator Hasan Piker, who has campaigned with El-Sayed and whom Stevens publicly rejected in announcing her endorsement.

Speaking alongside Rogers at a Detroit press conference, Stevens acknowledged the backlash her decision would provoke.

“I'm sorry people are upset,” she said, according to CNBC. “I understand that.”

Stevens’ endorsement delivers a significant last-minute boost to Rogers in one of the nation’s closely watched Senate contests. The Republican former congressman is competing against El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official, for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.

The unexpected Democratic defection highlights deep divisions within the party over Israel and the growing influence of its progressive wing, potentially complicating Democrats’ efforts to retain the Michigan seat in Tuesday’s election.