Two days before Election Day, one of Michigan’s most prominent Democrats crossed party lines. The move stunned party leaders from Lansing to Washington and scrambled one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
Rep. Haley Stevens, who narrowly lost the Democratic Senate primary in August, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Why did Haley Stevens endorse Mike Rogers?
In a statement Monday, Stevens said she was no longer welcome at El-Sayed’s campaign events. She criticized him for campaigning with progressive commentator Hasan Piker and pointed to an ad placed by his uncle, commentator Cenk Uygur, that blamed U.S. military aid to Israel for rising prices in Michigan.
Stevens welcomed El-Sayed’s decision to reject the ad’s message but said the experience raised a bigger question. If a candidate cannot make room for people who backed his primary opponent, she asked, how will he represent a state full of people who disagree with him?
Haley Stevens announced the endorsement after appearing with Rogers at a church in Detroit. The appearance marked a striking public break with her own party.
How big a reversal is this for Haley Stevens?
After losing the Aug. 4 primary by less than a percentage point, Haley Stevens initially endorsed El-Sayed and pledged to support Democrats across Michigan.
At the time, she warned that Rogers would be another rubber stamp for President Donald Trump’s agenda, which she called dangerous. Her new endorsement marks a complete turnaround from that position.
But after appearing with El-Sayed at a state party breakfast two days after the primary, she largely stayed off the campaign trail. Her absence fueled speculation about the state of their relationship.
Stevens is a strong supporter of Israel, while El-Sayed is a sharp critic of the U.S. ally, and the two have feuded publicly in recent weeks. Israel and the war in Gaza have been deeply divisive issues among Michigan Democrats, particularly in communities with large Arab American populations.
How did Democrats and El-Sayed respond?
Democrats reacted with anger, with some calling Haley Stevens a traitor. Some members of her staff resigned after the announcement, according to reports.
El-Sayed said the endorsement does not matter. His campaign has focused on reaching voters frustrated with the cost of living and the political establishment.
Supporters of El-Sayed argue that his populist message on the cost of living resonates with working families, while critics, including Stevens, say his ties to divisive commentators could alienate moderate voters. Republicans quickly highlighted the endorsement as evidence of division among Democrats.
Why does the Michigan Senate race matter?
The race is for the open seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and is one of the most competitive in the country. Both parties have poured money into the contest.
Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent, narrowly lost the 2024 Senate race to Elissa Slotkin. He has run on a message focused on national security and the economy.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win the Senate, so losing a seat in Michigan would make that path much harder. Michigan has become a key battleground in recent elections, often decided by narrow margins.
What does Haley Stevens’ endorsement mean for Tuesday?
It is unclear how many voters will follow Stevens across party lines. She represents a suburban district outside Detroit, where moderate voters could prove decisive. Endorsements from rivals often carry limited weight with voters, though they can shape media coverage in the final days.
Polls close Tuesday, and the result will show whether the late endorsement from Haley Stevens shifted a race already expected to be close.
