Stevens Endorses Republican in Michigan Race

Haley Stevens announced her support for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, a move that has fractured the local Democratic establishment. Stevens, who recently lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed, made the decision following a dispute with the El-Sayed campaign. The conflict centered on an outside advertisement that attributed high living costs to U.S. support for Israel. Stevens stated she would attend a campaign event if El-Sayed denounced the ad, but his team removed her invitation after she did not appear.

The endorsement has triggered immediate and vocal opposition from senior Democratic figures. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, labeled the decision a "despicable betrayal" on social media. He emphasized that Senate Democrats stand behind El-Sayed to protect working families in Michigan, contrasting him with Rogers, whom Schumer called a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors.

Nancy Pelosi, a representative from California, criticized Stevens for endangering the healthcare and future of Michigan families. Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, argued that working-class lives are at stake in Tuesday’s election. He noted that Stevens endorsed the specific Republican she previously said she wanted to defeat.

Curtis Hertel, the chair of the Michigan Democratic party, declared that Stevens is no longer a member of the party and will not be in the future. In a video shared by Detroit journalist Sam Robinson, Hertel described the endorsement as the antithesis of Stevens’ career. He attributed the move to sour grapes from the election and stated that he could find no reasonable explanation for the shift.

Debbie Dingell, a Michigan representative, said voters are focused on housing, healthcare, and the cost of living. She remarked that residents are not discussing Stevens’ efforts to gain attention. In a separate statement, Democratic congressional nominees Brad Lander and Daniel Bliss encouraged voters to support El-Sayed. They described the race as a choice between a party that stoked hatred and one that promises accountability and affordability.

Donald Trump praised Stevens on Truth Social, calling her a highly respected Democrat. During a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, Trump welcomed the possibility of Stevens joining the Republican party. He credited her with showing great loyalty to the people of Michigan.