Democratic Rep.
Haley Stevens shocked Michigan’s political landscape Sunday after endorsing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers , abandoning her earlier support for Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed just days before the election.
Stevens announced the decision after appearing with Rogers at a Black church in Detroit. She later defended the move in an interview with CNN, calling her endorsement “rock solid. She, however, offered limited details about what changed between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
The sudden switch triggered backlash from Democratic leaders, while Republicans, including President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, praised Stevens for crossing party lines. She further argued that some Democrats felt excluded from the campaign. The two candidates had clashed over foreign policy, particularly El-Sayed’s criticism of US military aid to Israel. Stevens also raised concerns about El-Sayed’s past campaign appearances with controversial online commentator Hasan Piker. She also appeared with Rogers at a church in Detroit the same day, as per The Hill .
Stevens said her decision came after growing concerns about El-Sayed’s campaign approach and the people surrounding him. In a CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, Stevens said she felt El-Sayed had become increasingly hostile toward Democrats who disagreed with him. “Abdul has been getting angrier and angrier,” Stevens said. “There are so many Democrats who want to vote for our Democratic nominee, and they’re just being told, ‘Hey, this is a party you don’t belong in, or this is a campaign you don’t belong in.’” Her decision surprised even members of her own team. Several congressional staff members reportedly resigned after learning about the endorsement through social media, according to people familiar with the situation and a statement from her chief of staff. Haley said what few people are willing to say,” he continued.
Earlier reporting noted: ‘This is BIG’: Trump praises Haley Stevens after she backs Republican Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race President Donald Trump has praised Democrat Haley Stevens after she broke with her party to endorse Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race. Her surprise move has sparked a political stir just days before the midterm elections, especially after her public fallout with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Earlier reporting noted: “Her following is huge, and the level of respect from the People of Michigan, especially our African American and Jewish populations, is virtually unparalleled.
Earlier reporting noted: On Sunday, just two days before the midterm elections, Stevens broke with her party and endorsed Rogers instead of El-Sayed.
Because stevens praised him in a statement, many Democrats close to her found her choice on Sunday more puzzling. Stevens had convinced Debbie Dingell overnight that she wasn’t changing sides, Dingell told CNN on Sunday.
