Michigan congresswoman backs Republican rival in tight Senate race

Haley Stevens, a sitting congresswoman in Michigan, endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate on Sunday. Stevens made the announcement after appearing at a church with Rogers. She stated that she did not belong in the campaign of her former primary opponent, Abdul El-Sayed.

Stevens said El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. She noted that the pair had been scheduled to appear together at a different event on Sunday, but he reportedly asked her not to attend. The dispute escalated after El-Sayed criticized an advertisement from an outside liberal group that blamed Israel for high food prices. El-Sayed said he had no connection to that ad.

El-Sayed downplayed the endorsement when speaking to reporters. He said he was focused on the issues facing voters in the state. “At the end of the day, I don’t think about Haley Stevens,” El-Sayed said. “None of this matters.”

Voters in Detroit reacted with mixed feelings when the news broke. Summer Lawrence, a 21-year-old student, described the move as a betrayal of the Democratic Party. She said Stevens’ values did not match those of Rogers. Matthew Barera, another voter, wondered if Stevens acted out of personal frustration after losing the primary. Marissa Lee, a supporter of Rogers, doubted the endorsement would change anyone’s mind. Lee called Stevens’ actions a display of anger.

The Michigan Senate seat is one of the closest contests in the midterm elections. The race will help determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. The current seat is held by a retiring Democrat. A Republican last won the position in 1994. Michigan voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and for Donald Trump in 2024, marking it as a key swing state.

Rogers called Stevens’ decision an act of courage during remarks outside the church. President Donald Trump praised the move on Truth Social, citing Stevens’ loyalty to Michigan. Many of Stevens’ staff reportedly resigned after the announcement. Curtis Hertel, the chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Stevens abandoned the values she claimed to care about. He stated that the party rejects attempts to divide its ranks.

Democratic leaders reacted sharply to the endorsement. Senator Chuck Schumer called it a despicable betrayal. He said Democrats are united behind El-Sayed because he will fight for working families. Schumer described Rogers as a tool of Trump and billionaire donors. State Senator Mallory McMorrow said the feud felt more about Stevens’ feelings than the needs of Michiganders. She positioned the choice as one between MAGA and Michigan.