Stevens backs Republican in Michigan Senate race

Haley Stevens, the Michigan congresswoman who lost the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, formally endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday. She posted the endorsement on X after attending a campaign event with Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit. The move directly challenges the party line just before the midterm election.

Stevens had previously agreed to back Abdul El-Sayed after a close primary loss. For months, she and her other rival, Mallory McMorrow, had refused to openly support El-Sayed. Party leaders eventually brokered a truce, allowing Stevens to join El-Sayed at a church event in Detroit’s North End earlier this week.

The alliance collapsed over an advertisement. An outside group ran an ad blaming U.S. support for Israel for rising costs. Stevens, a strong supporter of Israel, told El-Sayed she would only appear with him if he denounced the ad. El-Sayed rejected the condition, arguing it reopened a settled debate from the primary.

Tensions escalated when El-Sayed’s campaign formally removed Stevens from its schedule of final events. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan congresswoman, told CNN she advised Stevens that the joint appearance was no longer working. Dingell said the two were a distraction and that there was nothing to gain from sharing the same space.

Stevens had issued a statement earlier in the day expecting El-Sayed to win and urging voters to go to the polls. Hours later, she appeared with Rogers, a pick of President Donald Trump for the Senate seat. During the event, Stevens cited Rogers’ proposed investment in Black businesses as a reason for her support.

Democratic commentators have noted that Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, has also criticized El-Sayed publicly while supporting Rogers. Turkish is a vocal supporter of Israel and has donated heavily to Democrats in the past. This year, he also contributed to Republican candidates, including Susan Collins.