In a surprising development ahead of Michigan’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat, withdrew her support for the party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, and instead endorsed his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers. The announcement came on Sunday as Stevens appeared with Rogers at a church in Detroit, marking a sharp break from party unity in a critical contest for control of the Senate.
Stevens, who lost narrowly to El-Sayed in the Democratic primary last August, cited deep ideological differences and personal animosity stemming from El-Sayed’s progressive stance on Israel and related issues as the primary reasons for her decision. Stevens, a moderate and vocal supporter of Israel, criticized El-Sayed for his associations and comments that she described as divisive and harmful. She specifically referenced El-Sayed’s past campaigning with Hasan Piker, a left-wing political commentator known for anti-Israel views, and his refusal to condemn an outside ad blaming U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza for rising grocery prices.
El-Sayed, an outspoken progressive who has criticized U.S. aid to Israel on grounds of affordability and moral concerns, rebuffed Stevens’s criticisms, describing her comments as reopening a primary fight that had concluded months earlier. He called for focusing on broader electoral goals such as defeating Rogers, holding former President Donald Trump accountable, and advancing policies like Medicare for All. The tension culminated in El-Sayed urging Stevens to stay away from a joint campaign event, which she ultimately abandoned.
The split has drawn strong reactions within Democratic ranks. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Stevens’s move as a “despicable betrayal,” reaffirming solidarity with El-Sayed and denouncing what he characterized as Islamophobic and racist attacks against the nominee. Meanwhile, Michigan Democratic Party officials and prominent Democrats expressed dismay, with several of Stevens’s own staff members resigning in protest. Representative Jamie Raskin said he was caught off guard by Stevens’s decision, noting she had assured him just days before that she supported the entire Democratic ticket.
The rift underscores deeper divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and concerns about antisemitism. Some observers view Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers as a response to what they see as El-Sayed’s tolerance of antisemitic rhetoric and failure to adequately address the issue. El-Sayed’s critics emphasize his past controversial statements about Israel and question his commitment to healing intra-party divides after a contentious primary campaign.
For his part, Rogers, a Republican veteran known for reaching out to Black voters, welcomed Stevens’s endorsement, highlighting their shared support for Michigan’s Black communities and economic development.
With many voters having already cast ballots in early voting, the late-breaking drama adds uncertainty to a high-stakes race that reflects broader national tensions within the Democratic Party and the polarized political landscape around Israel and identity issues. The outcome in Michigan could influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and shape the party’s approach to coalition-building in future elections.