Michigan congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday, breaking with her party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, just before the midterm elections. Stevens, who narrowly lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed, announced her support in a video posted on X after attending an event with Rogers at Perfecting church, a predominantly Black congregation in Detroit.
The endorsement followed the collapse of an effort by senior Democrats to reconcile Stevens and El-Sayed after a bitter primary campaign. The Michigan seat could be crucial to the Democratic party. Stevens had spent months withholding public support from El-Sayed, as had Mallory McMorrow, another candidate he defeated in the primary.
Party leaders eventually secured a truce, and Stevens offered a lukewarm endorsement of El-Sayed. She was scheduled to appear with him over the weekend at a predominantly Black church in Detroit’s North End. That planned show of unity unraveled following a renewed disagreement over Israel, an issue that had sharply divided the two during their primary contest.
Late last week, Stevens, a firm supporter of Israel, said her participation depended on El-Sayed condemning an advertisement from an outside group. The ad blamed American support for Israel for increases in the cost of living. El-Sayed refused her request and accused Stevens of unnecessarily reviving arguments from a primary that had already been decided.
El-Sayed’s campaign subsequently withdrew Stevens’ invitations to its events during the final days of the race. Michigan congresswoman Debbie Dingell told CNN that she had personally told Stevens “this isn’t working” regarding the planned Sunday appearance. Dingell described the friction as a distraction, adding that “there’s nothing to be gained by the two of them being in the same place”.
Stevens’ public position shifted over the course of Sunday. In an earlier statement, she said she expected El-Sayed to win and urged people to vote. Hours later, she joined Rogers, Donald Trump’s choice for the Senate seat. During that appearance, she expressed support for what she described as Rogers’ future investment in Black businesses.
The dispute has also drawn attention to Stevens’ fiance, Jason Turkish. Democratic commentators have noted his public criticism of El-Sayed and support for Rogers. Turkish, who has also been outspoken in his support for Israel, previously made substantial donations to Democrats. This year, he also contributed to Republican candidates, including Susan Collins.
