Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens pledges Senate vote to Republican rival Mike Rogers

Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat has entered its final days with a cross-aisle shift from a senior Democrat. Rep. Haley Stevens announced on Sunday that she will cast her ballot for Republican challenger Mike Rogers. The decision came just 48 hours before voters head to the polls on Tuesday.

Stevens made the declaration at Perfecting Church in Detroit, where she stood alongside Rogers. She stated that she made the choice that morning after waking up. Stevens, a Democrat representing Michigan's 13th Congressional District, said she is voting for Rogers in the Senate race while still supporting other Democrats down the ticket.

The split between Stevens and the party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, solidified over the weekend. El-Sayed had previously told Stevens to refrain from joining his campaign trail appearances. Stevens cited this exclusion in her remarks to the press. She said, "Abdul made it clear I was not welcome. Ninety percent of my votes are going to Democrats. I am going to cast my vote for Senate for Mike Rogers."

Stevens linked her decision to a dispute over a political advertisement produced by Rebellion PAC. The ad, featuring commentary by Cenk Uygur, criticized American funding of Israel. Stevens argued the ad promoted a hateful ideology that she could not support. El-Sayed maintained his campaign was not affiliated with the advertisement. Stevens countered that a disclaimer was not a condemnation.

Rogers responded to the endorsement at the same church event. He said he was honored to earn Stevens' vote and noted that they discussed what was best for the country. He added that Stevens reminded him at the end of their conversation that she remains a Democrat. Stevens' chief of staff, Justin German, resigned immediately following the press conference.

El-Sayed addressed reporters later that afternoon outside a separate campaign event. He described the Stevens endorsement as a distraction from the core issues of the campaign. When asked if Stevens had betrayed the Democratic Party, El-Sayed said he did not know what the party was anymore. He stated he was more interested in policy than in the internal politics of the race.

El-Sayed pointed to tangible economic concerns facing voters. He mentioned families preparing to send children to schools that had not changed in 50 years. He noted that parents are worried about lunch costs and medical bills for sick children. He said these practical matters matter more than the public disagreement between Stevens and himself.

Stevens said she understands why some Democrats are upset by the move. She acknowledged that she had previously endorsed El-Sayed. She said the decision was personal and private. She added that she wanted to be honest about where her heart lay at that moment in the campaign.