Michigan Democrats rally to boost turnout after primary rival backs Republican

Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and other Michigan Democrats intensified their get-out-the-vote push on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections after former primary rival Haley Stevens publicly endorsed Republican Mike Rogers. The endorsement, announced during a joint appearance at a Detroit church on Sunday, led to Stevens' expulsion from the state Democratic Party and drew sharp criticism from party officials.

Speaking at Eastern Michigan University, El-Sayed avoided the controversy and urged supporters simply to vote, saying, "> There’s only one thing we can do to control the outcome." He was accompanied by Senator Elizabeth Warren and his grandparents at the rally.

State Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel said the endorsement is unlikely to alter the election outcome but could further mobilise Democratic voters. Long-time Democratic organizer Lori Goldman added that while roughly half of the 2.3 million early voters have already cast ballots, the remaining voters could still be significantly impacted.

Republican candidate Mike Rogers, who reportedly learned of the endorsement only after it was posted online, has highlighted the development in his campaign messaging. The endorsement is viewed by Republicans as a notable political gain.

The primary contest between El-Sayed and Stevens was closely fought, with disagreements over foreign-policy issues such as Israel and the war in Gaza. Party leaders have been working to consolidate support for El-Sayed among Jewish and Black voters, a demographic that previously backed Stevens. El-Sayed reported raising $2.4 million on Sunday, his highest-single-day fundraising total, while the state party noted an increase in volunteer door-knocking activity.