Democrat Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Senate Race
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Haley Stevens, a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan, has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over her party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, following a contentious primary and escalating tensions over Israel.
Haley Stevens, a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan, has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers just days before the midterm elections, a move that has sparked significant backlash within her party. Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, announced her decision on Sunday, citing ongoing tensions over Israel as a key factor.
Despite previously pledging to support El-Sayed, Stevens shifted her stance after weeks of public disputes regarding Israel's military actions and U.S. aid to the country. Her fiancé, Jason Turkish, had already expressed support for Rogers, accusing El-Sayed of anti-Semitism due to his criticisms of Israel. The situation escalated when an independent group supporting El-Sayed released an advertisement that Stevens condemned as anti-Semitic, further straining their relationship.
Stevens stated in a video that she was uninvited from a church service meant to showcase Democratic unity, leading her to endorse Rogers. "Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away," she explained. "And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."
The endorsement has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who labeled it a "despicable betrayal". He emphasized the need for voters to focus on policy issues rather than Stevens's decision. Additionally, Stevens's endorsement has led to resignations within her team, with her chief of staff expressing shock at her choice.
As the race to replace retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters intensifies, the impact of Stevens's endorsement on voter turnout and support for either candidate remains uncertain. Polling indicates that El-Sayed has consolidated much of the Democratic support, but Stevens's influence in key Democratic strongholds could sway some voters towards Rogers.