DETROIT, Nov 1 – Democratic divisions in Michigan have intensified just days before a closely contested U.S. Senate election after Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who recently lost the party’s primary to Abdul El-Sayed, publicly endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers. The unexpected decision has created a political setback for Democrats, who are attempting to maintain control of the Senate seat and strengthen their chances of holding a majority in Congress.
Stevens announced her support for Rogers on Sunday following a church service in the Detroit area, where she appeared alongside the Republican candidate and his wife. Her endorsement was particularly significant because she had previously promised to support El-Sayed after his victory in the August Democratic primary.
The announcement came amid growing disagreements between Stevens and El-Sayed, whose political positions, particularly regarding Israel, have contributed to tensions within the party. Their deteriorating relationship became increasingly visible after Stevens was removed from a planned joint campaign appearance intended to demonstrate Democratic unity ahead of Election Day.
With voting scheduled for Tuesday, the endorsement has raised questions about whether Democratic divisions could affect voter participation in a state considered crucial to determining the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Stevens Breaks With Democratic Nominee and Backs Rogers
Stevens made her endorsement public after attending a Sunday morning service at Perfecting Church north of Detroit. She joined Rogers and his wife, Kristi, during the gathering, where the congresswoman explained that her decision followed disagreements with the Democratic nominee.
In a video announcing her support, Stevens said El-Sayed’s campaign had informed her that she was no longer welcome to participate in its activities and should stay away. She argued that the decision had effectively ended her involvement with his campaign and presented her endorsement of Rogers as a consequence of that breakdown.
Stevens said she was not abandoning the Democratic Party as a whole, describing her decision as support for one particular candidate in the upcoming election. Rogers welcomed the endorsement, saying he was honored to receive her backing.
The announcement marked a significant reversal from Stevens’ earlier public position. Only days before, she had reaffirmed her intention to vote for El-Sayed, despite disagreements that had continued since the primary.
Her decision also prompted an immediate reaction from her political team. Stevens’ longtime chief of staff resigned following the endorsement, while several other members of her staff were reportedly considering leaving. A person familiar with the internal developments, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, described the reaction among staff as one of shock and disappointment.
The Michigan Democratic Party strongly criticized Stevens’ decision. State party chair Curtis Hertel accused the congresswoman of abandoning the principles she had previously claimed to support. He said the party would reject attempts to create divisions and undermine its campaign momentum during the final days before voting.
Hertel also indicated that Stevens would no longer be considered a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, adding that she would not hold that status in the future.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who had supported Stevens during the primary contest, also condemned her endorsement. In a social media statement, Schumer described her decision as a betrayal of the Democratic nominee and the party.
Meanwhile, El-Sayed attempted to minimize the political impact of Stevens’ announcement. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he said his campaign remained focused on issues affecting Michigan residents, particularly the rising cost of living.
He dismissed questions about Stevens’ decision, saying she was not someone he was concentrating on during the final stage of the campaign. El-Sayed maintained that economic concerns and the priorities of voters were more important than disagreements between former primary opponents.
Israel Disagreements and Primary Rivalry Deepen Party Tensions
The conflict between Stevens and El-Sayed has been developing for months, with disagreements over Israel emerging as one of the most significant sources of friction.
Stevens has consistently supported Israel, while El-Sayed has been a prominent critic of the Israeli government’s policies and U.S. support for its regional ally. Their contrasting positions became a major issue during the Democratic primary, which developed into one of the most divisive Senate nomination contests of the election cycle.
El-Sayed, a former Michigan public health official, also faced criticism over previous comments concerning an attack on a Michigan synagogue and his appearances alongside controversial online streamer Hasan Piker. These issues generated concerns among some Democratic voters, particularly within communities where support for Israel remains an important political consideration.
Stevens secured support from Black and Jewish voters during the August primary, particularly in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, and neighboring Oakland County. Despite those advantages, El-Sayed ultimately defeated her to become the Democratic nominee.
The primary campaign involved extensive outside spending, with tens of millions of dollars directed toward supporting candidates and influencing voters. One of the organizations involved was a political action committee affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which supported Stevens.
The competition also featured accusations of personal attacks. El-Sayed objected to an advertisement funded by an outside organization that accused him of disrespecting women. He took particular issue with political messaging that he believed misrepresented his positions and campaign priorities.
Although Stevens initially pledged to assist El-Sayed following the primary, their relationship never fully recovered. The two appeared together at a unity breakfast shortly after his victory but had not shared a public campaign appearance since that event.
Tensions resurfaced more publicly the previous week when Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, told The Detroit News that he intended to vote for Rogers. Stevens subsequently appeared on CNN, where she reaffirmed her support for El-Sayed but urged his campaign to reject hostile political messaging and address what she described as hateful rhetoric.
The disagreement escalated again on Friday after plans emerged for Stevens and El-Sayed to attend a joint church appearance with other Democratic figures.
Stevens issued a lengthy statement demanding that El-Sayed condemn an advertisement produced by an independent left-wing group. The advertisement connected American support for Israel with rising grocery prices in Michigan.
She argued that El-Sayed’s campaign promises to reduce the influence of money in politics were inconsistent with allowing such messaging to circulate. El-Sayed responded by saying the advertisement had not been produced by his campaign and that he disagreed with its contents.
He also criticized Stevens for continuing to revisit disagreements from a primary that had ended three months earlier, urging Democrats to concentrate on the approaching election.
Democrats Abandon Planned Unity Event as Stevens Appears With Republicans
The disagreement disrupted a planned campaign appearance intended to demonstrate unity among Michigan Democrats before Election Day.
Stevens and El-Sayed were originally expected to attend a church service together alongside several prominent Democratic politicians, including South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn. The gathering was intended to encourage voter participation in the Detroit area, where party officials have expressed concerns about enthusiasm among Black and Jewish voters.
However, the planned appearance collapsed after tensions surrounding the event became increasingly difficult to manage.
Representative Debbie Dingell, a senior Michigan Democrat who helped organize the gathering, said she ultimately asked Stevens not to attend. According to Dingell, the decision was made because the disagreement between the former primary opponents had become a distraction during a critical weekend for the campaign.
Dingell later explained that she had withdrawn the invitation because she did not want the event to become focused on internal party disputes rather than encouraging voters to support the Democratic nominee.
Instead of appearing alongside El-Sayed, Stevens attended Perfecting Church with Rogers. Meanwhile, El-Sayed participated in a separate religious gathering with Democratic supporters, including Dingell, Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow, who had previously withdrawn from the Senate primary before voting began.
The two events illustrated the extent of the divisions within the Michigan Democratic Party.
Dingell expressed concern about Stevens during an appearance on CNN’s Anderson Cooper program. Speaking after an interview with the congresswoman, Dingell described the conversation as particularly painful to watch and said she had been worried about Stevens throughout the week.
During her CNN interview, Stevens said she had reached her decision after waking up Sunday morning and reflecting on the political situation. She described her endorsement as a personal burden being lifted and portrayed El-Sayed as increasingly angry.
However, her explanations were at times difficult to follow, with lengthy pauses during the interview as she attempted to explain the reasons behind her decision.
The political consequences quickly extended beyond Michigan. President Donald Trump praised Stevens in a post on Truth Social, describing her as a highly respected Democrat and highlighting her ability to attract support from Black and Jewish voters in the state.
Trump characterized her endorsement as an act of political courage and loyalty to Michigan residents. His comments offered a clear indication that Republicans viewed the development as an opportunity to exploit divisions among Democrats.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also welcomed Stevens’ decision. Speaking during a campaign rally with Trump in Iowa, Johnson said he had spoken with the congresswoman after she endorsed Rogers. He added that he had encouraged her to remain safe and continue expressing her views.
Republican National Committee spokesperson Hunter Lovell similarly used the endorsement to criticize El-Sayed’s campaign, arguing that Democrats who felt disconnected from their nominee could find political support with Rogers.
Michigan Senate Race Becomes Critical Test Before Election Day
The Michigan contest carries national importance because the outcome could influence which party controls the U.S. Senate during the final two years of Trump’s second presidential term.
El-Sayed is competing against Rogers, a former Republican congressman backed by Trump, for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. Democrats consider retaining the seat essential to their broader effort to secure a Senate majority.
For Republicans, the divisions surrounding the Democratic nominee could create an opportunity to attract voters who supported Stevens during the primary but remain uncomfortable with El-Sayed’s political positions.
The Democratic campaign also faces the challenge of maintaining support across different communities within the state’s electoral coalition. Detroit and surrounding areas are particularly important because turnout among Black voters could play a significant role in determining the final result.
The disagreement involving Israel adds another complication, particularly as Democratic candidates attempt to balance different perspectives within their voter base. Stevens’ support for Israel and El-Sayed’s criticism of U.S. policy toward the country have become central elements of their political dispute.
Early voting for Tuesday’s election began on October 24. More than 1.8 million Michigan residents had already cast ballots by Friday, demonstrating the scale of participation before Election Day.
Despite the controversy, El-Sayed has continued emphasizing economic issues, including household expenses and the cost of living, as central campaign priorities. His strategy appears aimed at keeping attention on issues that directly affect voters rather than allowing the dispute with Stevens to dominate the final days of the race.
Rogers, meanwhile, has received a significant political boost from Stevens’ endorsement, although its actual effect on voter behavior remains uncertain.
The final outcome will determine whether Democrats can retain a Senate seat they consider essential to their national strategy or whether Republicans can capitalize on divisions within the opposition party. With voting approaching, the dispute has transformed what was already a competitive Senate contest into a broader test of Democratic unity, voter loyalty and the influence of internal political disagreements on national elections.