Michigan Democrat Backs Republican Senator
Congresswoman Haley Stevens abandons Abdul El-Sayed to support Mike Rogers, citing friction and a desire for unity against hate.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Michigan U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens announced on Sunday that she is backing Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate, leaving the race open after a dispute with the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens made the switch in a video address to voters, stating that El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign.
Stevens, who represents a suburban district, said she remains a proud Democrat despite crossing party lines. She pointed to El-Sayed’s appearances with streamer Hasan Piker as a key factor in her decision. Stevens noted that Piker has spoken about personal experiences with human trafficking on university campuses, a point she used to question the message El-Sayed was sending to Michigan families.
The Democratic nominee had previously criticized Stevens for trying to reopen a debate about a primary that ended three months ago, according to NBC News. In a separate interview with CNN, Stevens described her decision as a major relief. She said El-Sayed had become increasingly angry and that he made it clear she did not fit into his campaign strategy.
Rogers reacted to the endorsement on social media, calling himself honored. He framed the support as a statement about unity against hate, specifically mentioning citizens in the state who have been harassed for being Jewish. Rogers said the move prioritizes the future of Michigan over partisan differences.
Curtis Hertel, the chair of the Democratic Party of Michigan, responded on X by noting that Stevens is not currently a member of the state party. He added that she will not be a member in the future. This administrative detail contrasts with Stevens’ self-identification as a proud Democrat in her public statements.
The race to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters is closely contested. Stevens’ departure removes a prominent Democrat from the race, adding a new layer of complexity to the general election. The announcement came after weeks of internal friction between the congressional delegate and the gubernatorial candidate.
Stevens concluded her video by saying that what students and families see in Michigan should not be hate. She argued that the current Democratic candidate was not delivering that message. Her support for Rogers marks a notable shift in the local political alignment for the upcoming general election.
