Michigan Democrat endorses Republican in late Senate race twist

Summarised from 6 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 23:32 · Archive

Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's midterm Senate race, creating a last-minute upheaval in one of the country's most closely watched races.

Stevens had previously lost to El-Sayed in the August primary by one point. Tension between the two had grown over their stances on Israel, with Stevens complaining that she was shut out of El-Sayed's campaign.

Republican operatives moved quickly to capitalise on the endorsement. Early on the Monday before Election Day, they held an event at Michigan GOP headquarters featuring six community leaders representing African Americans and Jews, who criticised El-Sayed's 'radical associations' and praised Stevens' endorsement of Rogers. Close to two dozen other attendees, many Black or Jewish, also participated. Some community members told Fox News Digital they believed the shift represented real defection from the Democratic Party among their peers, though political observers have questioned the impact.

The Democratic Party responded swiftly. Stevens was kicked out of the Michigan Democratic Party immediately after endorsing the Republican on Sunday. Several members of the Democratic House caucus began discussing her removal from the party. An unnamed Democratic lawmaker told NBC News that members viewed the endorsement as a violation of caucus rules against supporting against Democratic Party members, calling it a 'terrible betrayal'. Another House Democrat called for Stevens' removal from all committees and exclusion from caucus meetings until the end of her term on 3 January 2027.

Stevens said she had no regrets about her decision. On election day, she told NewsNation that voting a split ticket, supporting Democrats down the ballot except for El-Sayed, was 'worth it'. She expressed confidence that Democrats would win the House majority and said she had already spoken to Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Mike Rogers defended Stevens against what he called the 'vicious' attacks from her own party. 'I'm disappointed in how vicious they've been,' Rogers told reporters at his polling place. 'Here's somebody who said, "I voted Democrat all the way down the list, except for one person who I think is too extreme for our state." That's country over party.'

Some Democrats alleged Stevens had been influenced by pressure from her Jewish fiancé, Jason Turkish, into supporting Rogers. Her Senate bid meant she is not running for reelection to the House, and she has not revealed her next career steps. In a statement, Stevens said she planned to 'help lead' the effort to 'build a stronger, more welcoming, more courageous Democratic Party.'

How it is being reported

• Democrat Haley Stevens ridiculed for bizarre new look at the polls after betraying Abdul El-Sayed: 'It's concerning'Outgoing Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens was spotted sporting an unusual new look as she went to cast an election-day ballot alongside her mother.Daily Mail · 3 Nov, 19:32
• Haley Stevens has no regrets over GOP endorsement as Mike Rogers defends her from vicious DemsDemocratic Rep. Haley Stevens said she has no regrets about voting for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan as he defended her against the vicious attacks from members of her own party.New York Post · 3 Nov, 18:08
• Dem pariah Haley Stevens debuts ridiculous new look on Election Day after Rogers endorsement: ‘Totally off her rocker’Flip-flopping Rep. Haley Stevens was dragged online Tuesday not just for her bombshell endorsement of Republican candidate Mike Rogers for Senate -- but for her bizarre sartorial choice.New York Post · 3 Nov, 17:20
• Democrats are talking about expelling Haley Stevens after her surprise Republican endorsementHaley Stevens sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party when she endorsed Mike Rogers instead of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate raceIndependent World · 3 Nov, 16:23
• US midterms: All eyes on crucial Michigan Senate raceIn the US midterm elections, the Senate race in Michigan has been one of the most closely watched in the country. It took an unexpected turn on Sunday after Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Both candidates made their final pitches to voters during campaign rallies on Monday evening, November 2. FRANCE 24's Jessica Le Masurier reports.France 24 · 3 Nov, 15:15
• 'Big difference': Dem's last-minute endorsement gives GOP new hope in crucial Senate battleMichigan Republican Mike Rogers' campaign touted Haley Stevens' endorsement as a breakthrough with Black and Jewish voters before Election Day.Fox News · 3 Nov, 13:27
• Democratic, Republican strategists react to Haley Stevens' bombshell endorsement, Alaska race ordealPolitical strategists Joel Payne and Terry Sullivan join CBS News with their take on the midterm elections after Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers and snubs her own party.CBS News · 2 Nov, 15:55
• Political strategists on Haley Stevens' shakeup in MichiganJoel Payne, executive director of MoveOn and Terry Sullivan, Marco Rubio's former presidential campaign manager, join "CBS Mornings" to discuss the shakeup in the Michigan Senate race following Democrat Haley Stevens' endorsement of GOP candidate Mike Rogers.CBS News · 2 Nov, 15:29

In this story: Haley Stevens · Mike Rogers · Abdul El-Sayed · Michigan · Democratic Party · Hakeem Jeffries

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log