Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens breaks with her own party, switches endorsement from Abdul El-Sayed to Republican Mike Rogers
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Rep. Haley Stevens said she changed her endorsement to Republican Mike Rogers after a clash with Abdul El-Sayed over an antisemitic ad and campaign behavior, triggering fierce condemnation from Democratic leaders and deepening party tensions.
On the eve of the November 3 election, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens announced that she was withdrawing her endorsement of former primary rival Abdul El-Sayed and instead supporting Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. Stevens told The Detroit News that continuing to back El-Sayed would have required her to "live a lie" to her constituents and community, adding that El-Sayed had told her she was not welcome on his campaign trail.
Stevens said her decision was driven by El-Sayed’s refusal to publicly condemn an outside group’s advertisement that linked high grocery prices to U.S. aid to Israel, which she described as antisemitic. She said she asked El-Sayed to denounce the ad politely, but his reaction made any further collaboration impossible.
The endorsement shift has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the move a "despicable betrayal," and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the decision left Stevens isolated from the Democratic caucus. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel stated that Stevens is no longer a member of the state party.
Stevens acknowledged the backlash, noting that she has received both disappointment and support from colleagues and constituents. She said she felt personal relief at making a decision aligned with her own convictions, while also expressing regret for any impact on her staff, several of whom resigned following the announcement.
El-Sayed dismissed the endorsement change, saying it does not affect his campaign and urging voters to turn out on election day. He declined to comment directly on Stevens.
Stevens emphasized that her endorsement of Rogers was not tied to any promises and that she remains a Democrat, insisting on her independence in the decision. She also rejected suggestions that her fiancé influenced her choice, describing such claims as "insulting" and "untrue."