On Sunday, November 1, 2026, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens of Michigan withdrew her support for Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and endorsed his Republican opponent, former Representative Mike Rogers, in a last-minute move two days before Election Day.
Stevens, who narrowly lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August, had previously endorsed him. She appeared with Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit before posting a video on X declaring the switch. In the video and remarks to reporters, she said El-Sayed had made clear she was “no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away. And he’s right.” She added, “I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign. I do not stand with Hasan Piker,” referring to the left-wing streamer with whom El-Sayed had campaigned earlier, and stated that “who we are as Michiganders is not hate.”
Stevens described the decision as personal, insisted she remains “a very proud Democrat,” and said it applied only to this one vote. She noted tensions that had escalated over an outside group’s advertisement linking rising grocery prices to U.S. aid to Israel (which she characterized as antisemitic) and over her exclusion from campaign events. As recently as Saturday night, she had reportedly assured colleagues and allies that she would stick with El-Sayed.
The endorsement drew immediate and sharp condemnation from Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “despicable betrayal,” while Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel and others criticized the move as abandoning the party and its priorities. Several of Stevens’ staff members resigned, including her longtime chief of staff Justin German, who issued a statement supporting El-Sayed.
El-Sayed dismissed the development, telling reporters, “I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens” and that “none of this matters,” while focusing on policy differences with Rogers.
Rogers, a Trump-aligned candidate, said he was “honored” by the support. The Michigan Senate race is viewed as pivotal for control of the chamber. Stevens had previously criticized Rogers as a “rubber stamp” for Donald Trump’s agenda.
The episode has highlighted ongoing Democratic divisions, particularly over Israel policy and the direction of the party in a high-stakes battleground contest.
SOURCES:
Mike Rogers gains support from Haley Stevens’s fiancé
Haley Stevens advised to stay away from Abdul El-Sayed campaign events to limit ‘distractions’ | Michigan | The Guardian
Haley Stevens Abandons Fellow Democrats in Opposition to Abdul El-Sayed – Mother Jones
How an attempt at Democratic unity exploded with Haley Stevens’ Senate endorsement flip | CNN Politics
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan Senate – POLITICO
Schumer calls Haley Stevens’s endorsement of Mike Rogers ‘a despicable betrayal’ – The Washington Post
Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Abdul El-Sayed’s Republican rival Mike Rogers | Michigan | The Guardian
Here Are Some Things Haley Stevens Said About Mike Rogers Before Endorsing Him – Mother Jones
Haley Stevens defends endorsement switch to Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed
Michigan Senate Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Polls: El-Sayed vs. Rogers | Kalshi
