Rep. Haley Stevens narrowly lost Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed. But her next move may have changed the race: on Sunday, she endorsed El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, Mike Rogers.
The decision drew praise from Republicans and sharp criticism from prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Rogers has been trailing by several points in recent polls.
The endorsement
Earlier this year, Stevens had described herself as the strongest candidate to defeat Rogers and oppose the MAGA agenda. On Sunday, she posted a video confirming that El-Sayed’s campaign had asked her not to attend future campaign events.
“That’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today,” Stevens said. She added that she did not belong in El-Sayed’s campaign and objected to his association with streamer Hasan Piker.
El-Sayed has campaigned with Piker in Michigan. Piker has drawn criticism for past comments about the United States, including saying the country deserved the September 11 attacks. He has also faced backlash over remarks about Sen. Rick Scott and Medicaid fraud.
Stevens argued that Piker’s influence reflected poorly on El-Sayed’s campaign. She also described the Senate seat as “the conscience of the Senate.” Stevens said she remained a proud Democrat and still believed in the positions she had supported and voted for.
After losing the primary, Stevens had said she was proud to support El-Sayed. At a press conference with Rogers, however, she said she was backing the Republican because the country must stand against hate and not with Piker.
Rogers welcomed Stevens’ endorsement, saying she had shown courage by putting Michigan first. He said the state was politically competitive and that he hoped to earn support from Democrats concerned about education, high prices and the housing market.
A Michigan Republican Party spokesman said the endorsement showed that some traditional Democrats no longer saw their values reflected in El-Sayed’s politics and could find common ground with Rogers.
Other Republicans celebrated the announcement, including President Donald Trump. Trump praised Stevens for what he called her loyalty to Michigan. Stevens had voted to impeach Trump twice.
El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Democratic backlash
El-Sayed played down the endorsement, telling reporters he did not think about Stevens. Other Democrats reacted much more forcefully.
Schumer called Stevens’ decision a “despicable betrayal.” He said Senate Democrats remained united behind El-Sayed and condemned what he described as racist and Islamophobic attacks against him.
Pelosi called the endorsement “horrific,” arguing that Stevens had betrayed Michigan families. Rep. Jim Clyburn, who had been scheduled to appear with Stevens and El-Sayed at a Detroit event, said he was deeply disappointed and called the decision a distraction.
Michigan Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel said Stevens was no longer a member of the state party and would not be in the future. He later added that her decision was not “the Michigan way.”
Stevens’ longtime chief of staff, Justin German, said he and several other members of her team had resigned. German said they were shocked and heartbroken by her decision to support Rogers.
Commentators also criticized Stevens. Piers Morgan called her a charlatan and described the endorsement as political treachery. Mehdi Hasan called her evil and accused her of betraying the Democratic Party.
