Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has officially endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, breaking with her party’s nominee Abdul El-Sayed just two days before the November 3 election.
Stevens announced her decision Sunday after appearing alongside Rogers at a church service in Detroit, marking a dramatic turn in a Senate contest that could influence control of the closely divided chamber.
“Our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away. And he’s right, and that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today,” Stevens said in a video posted on social media.
The Michigan congresswoman also criticized El-Sayed’s association with political streamer Hasan Piker, saying she did not stand with him.
The endorsement followed weeks of escalating tensions between Stevens and El-Sayed, who defeated her in the August Democratic Senate primary. Stevens had initially pledged to support the Democratic nominee after the primary and reiterated her backing as recently as last week.
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The dispute intensified over an advertisement by an outside political group linking U.S. support for Israel to rising grocery prices. Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn the advertisement, arguing that its message unfairly blamed Israel for economic pressures facing Michigan families.
El-Sayed distanced his campaign from the advertisement and said he disagreed with its contents. However, he also accused Stevens of attempting to reopen a primary contest that had ended months earlier.
The disagreement disrupted plans for a joint Detroit church appearance involving Stevens, El-Sayed and Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. Stevens ultimately appeared at Perfecting Church alongside Rogers, while El-Sayed attended a separate church event with other Democratic leaders.
According to The Associated Press, Stevens’ endorsement triggered immediate repercussions within her political operation, including the resignation of her longtime chief of staff.
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Rogers, a former Republican congressman backed by President Donald Trump, is challenging El-Sayed for the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
The race has become a significant contest for both parties as Republicans seek to maintain their Senate majority and Democrats attempt to regain control of the chamber.
Stevens’ endorsement adds another dimension to the final days of the campaign, exposing divisions among Michigan Democrats over Israel, political messaging and the party’s direction ahead of Election Day.