In a surprising twist, Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens has crossed party lines, endorsing Republican Mike Rogers in the U.S. Senate race, a move that has intensified the political drama just days before a pivotal election. This unexpected endorsement comes after Stevens was disinvited from a joint campaign event with Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee she narrowly lost to in the primary.
Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers, which followed a church service they both attended in Detroit, has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. Following the event, she stated, “Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away. And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today.” Her endorsement led to the resignation of her top aide.
The ongoing tensions between El-Sayed and Stevens have been evident since the primary, where their differing views on Israel and other issues led to a bitter rivalry. Stevens is known for her strong support of Israel, contrasting sharply with El-Sayed, who has faced criticism for his past remarks on related topics and his association with controversial figures.
Sunday was initially planned as a day of unity for Democrats. However, it unfolded differently as Stevens joined Rogers at a Detroit church, while El-Sayed campaigned separately with other Democrats, including Rep. Jim Clyburn. This division comes as Democrats aim to galvanize Black and Jewish voter turnout in a tightly contested race for the seat of retiring Democrat Gary Peters.
Staff Resignations and Party Reaction
Stevens’ decision to back Rogers has left the Democratic Party reeling, with her longtime chief of staff resigning and further resignations anticipated. The state party chair, Curtis Hertel, expressed disappointment, stating, “We reject the attempts by Stevens and bad-faith actors to divide our party and undermine our momentum.”
Rogers expressed his gratitude for Stevens’ endorsement, saying he was “honored” by her support. This development comes shortly after Stevens had publicly committed to supporting El-Sayed, adding to the confusion and dismay among Democrats.
Attempts at Unity Lead to Further Division
Before the fallout, Democratic leaders had planned a joint appearance to bridge divisions. However, tensions escalated over disputes about Israel and campaign advertisements, prompting Rep. Debbie Dingell to disinvite Stevens from the event, citing it had become “distracting.” Dingell emphasized that “This is not how I was going to spend my weekend before the election.”
Despite efforts to project a unified front, the Democratic Party faces challenges in delivering cohesive messages in crucial areas like Detroit, where voter turnout could be a decisive factor. El-Sayed, addressing supporters at a separate church service, did not comment on the controversy but focused on his campaign message.
Background on Primary Rivalries
The primary between Stevens and El-Sayed was marked by personal attacks and significant external funding, notably from a pro-Israel super PAC supporting Stevens. El-Sayed was critical of an ad from an external group that linked U.S.-Israel relations to domestic economic issues.
Despite initially pledging cooperation post-primary, the two have not appeared together since a brief unity event. Recent weeks have seen Stevens call on El-Sayed to denounce certain campaign ads, which he clarified were not from his campaign and did not align with his views.
For more on this story, visit the AP News article and the background on the primary.
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