DETROIT — Nov. 2, 2026 — Haley Stevens, a Democratic congresswoman who recently pledged to support her party's U.S. Senate nominee, stunned Michigan Democrats Sunday. She endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed, her former primary opponent.

Stevens switch occurred just two days before an election that could determine control of the Senate.

This decision followed months of disagreements with El-Sayed over Israel, campaign rhetoric and the direction of the Democratic Party. The congresswoman also said she had been excluded from the Democratic nominee's campaign and was no longer welcome at his events.

Her endorsement came after she attended a Detroit church service alongside Rogers,. He is President Donald Trump's preferred candidate in the closely contested race.

The dramatic reversal exposed divisions within Michigan's Democratic Party at a critical moment in the election. It also raised questions about whether disagreements over Israel, antisemitism and political alliances could affect Democratic support among important voting groups, particularly Black and Jewish voters.

In a video announcing her decision, Stevens said: "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 immediately triggered criticism from Democratic leaders, while Republicans welcomed the development as an opportunity to attract voters who may be uncomfortable with El-Sayed's positions and campaign associations.

Why Haley Stevens Turned Against Her Former Democratic Rival

The endorsement was the culmination of a bitter relationship that began during the August Democratic Senate primary.

Stevens and El-Sayed competed for the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. El-Sayed defeated Stevens by a narrow margin, overcoming a contentious campaign that featured substantial outside spending and sharp disagreements over U.S. support for Israel.

Stevens is a strong supporter of Israel, while El-Sayed has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government's policies and U.S. military assistance to the country.

The disagreement became particularly important because of the role Israel played in the primary campaign.

An affiliated super PAC connected to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee supported Stevens during the contest. El-Sayed, a former Michigan public health official, criticized her support for Israeli military funding and argued that the United States should take a different approach toward the Israeli government.

Dispute of US Policy on Israel

Everything changed after Stevens lost the primary. At first she publicly promised to support the Democratic nominee.

However, the relationship remained strained, and the two candidates did not make additional public appearances together after an initial unity breakfast.

The dispute intensified during the final week before the general election when Stevens demanded that El-Sayed condemn an advertisement from an outside political group that linked U.S. support for Israel to rising grocery prices.

Stevens argued that the advertisement unfairly connected Israel to Michigan residents' economic problems and contributed to antisemitic rhetoric.

El-Sayed said the advertisement was not affiliated with his campaign and explicitly rejected its contents.

He also criticized Stevens for continuing to revisit disagreements from a primary that had ended months earlier.

The controversy became a turning point in their relationship.

Hasan Piker Controversy Added to the Political Divide

Another source of tension involved political streamer Hasan Piker, whose appearances with El-Sayed drew criticism from some Democrats and members of the Jewish community.

Stevens objected to the association and argued that El-Sayed needed to take a stronger position against rhetoric she considered hateful.

In comments reported during the final days of the campaign, Stevens emphasized that Democrats needed to reject antisemitism and avoid alliances that could alienate voters.

She also criticized a campaign advertisement featuring conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, demanding that El-Sayed remove it.

These disagreements were particularly significant because Stevens had received substantial support from Jewish voters during the Democratic primary.

She also attracted support from Black voters in Wayne and Oakland counties, two important areas of the Democratic coalition.

Democratic Unity Event Turns Into a Political Showdown

The divisions therefore extended beyond a personal disagreement between two politicians. They reflected broader tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel, political messaging, antisemitism and the coalition needed to win statewide elections.

 Sunday was originally supposed to demonstrate that Michigan Democrats had put their primary disagreements behind them.

Stevens had been scheduled to attend a Detroit church service with El-Sayed and other prominent Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina.

The gathering was intended to encourage voter participation and demonstrate party unity ahead of Election Day.

However, the plans changed after disagreements intensified.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a senior Michigan Democrat who helped organize the appearance, said she asked Stevens not to attend because the dispute had become a distraction.

Dingell said Stevens agreed to stay away.

Stevens Goes to Church With Rogers and His Wife

Instead, Stevens appeared at Perfecting Church in Detroit with Rogers and his wife, Kristi.

The congresswoman and her fiance, Jason Turkish, attended the service alongside the Republican candidate.

Stevens praised Rogers' support for Black-owned businesses and described her decision as a matter of standing up for the country and rejecting hate.

Rogers said he was honored by her endorsement.

Meanwhile, El-Sayed attended a separate church service with Clyburn, Dingell, U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and other Democratic supporters.

The two appearances created a striking contrast: one event showcased the Democratic nominee's national party support, while the other featured a sitting Democratic congresswoman publicly supporting his Republican opponent.Stevens Crossing Party Lines

Stevens explained that her endorsement was partly a response to what she described as being pushed out of the Democratic campaign.

She said El-Sayed had made clear that he did not want her participating in his remaining campaign events.

The congresswoman described her decision as a personal turning point rather than an announcement that she was leaving the Democratic Party.

"I'm not turning my back on Democrats. It is this one vote," Stevens told reporters while standing alongside Rogers.

In a subsequent CNN interview, Stevens said she had awakened Sunday morning and spent time reflecting before deciding to endorse the Republican.

"This is a weight off my shoulders, I'm being straight with everybody," she said.

Stevens also described El-Sayed as increasingly angry during their disagreements.

Her explanation, however, did not satisfy many Democratic officials, particularly because she had reaffirmed her support for the party's nominee just days earlier.

The endorsement also prompted an immediate personnel shake-up in her congressional office.

Her longtime chief of staff resigned following the announcement, and additional staff departures were expected, according to a person familiar with the developments.

The aide released a statement saying the team was "shocked and heartbroken."

Democratic Leaders Condemn the Endorsement

Michigan Democrats reacted angrily to Stevens' decision.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel accused the congresswoman of abandoning the principles she had previously claimed to support.

He also said Stevens was no longer considered a member of the Michigan Democratic Party and would not be a member in the future.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who had supported Stevens during the primary, also criticized her endorsement.

"This is a despicable betrayal from Rep. Stevens," Schumer wrote in a social media post.

Dingell expressed concern about the situation, describing Stevens' CNN interview as one of the most painful interviews she had watched.

She said the controversy was particularly damaging because Democrats should have been concentrating on turnout and issues affecting Michigan families.

Democratic officials have emphasized that the party remains behind El-Sayed despite the disagreement.

El-Sayed Dismisses Stevens

El-Sayed attempted to minimize the political significance of Stevens' endorsement.

Speaking with reporters after attending a Detroit church service, he said he was focused on Michigan residents rather than the congresswoman.

"At the end of the day I actually don't think about Haley Stevens," he said.

He also emphasized issues such as grocery prices, health care expenses, gas prices and the quality of Michigan's air and water.

El-Sayed's response reflected his effort to redirect attention toward the economic concerns that have been central to his campaign.

The Democratic nominee is seeking to present himself as a candidate focused on working families and public policy rather than internal party disagreements.

His supporters have also argued that Stevens' endorsement could reinforce his appeal among voters who are dissatisfied with the Democratic establishment.

Trump and Republicans Welcome Stevens' Support

President Trump quickly praised Stevens' endorsement of Rogers.

In a Truth Social post, Trump described the congresswoman as highly respected and praised her influence among Black and Jewish voters in Michigan.

"Haley said what few people are willing to say," Trump wrote, calling her decision an act of bravery.

Trump also suggested that Stevens could eventually join the Republican Party.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had spoken with Stevens following her announcement and encouraged her to remain safe and continue speaking publicly.

The Republican National Committee also welcomed the endorsement.

RNC spokesman Hunter Lovell said Democrats who feel abandoned by El-Sayed have a home with Rogers.

For Republicans, Stevens' endorsement offers an opportunity to challenge Democratic unity in a state where Black voters and Jewish voters could play an important role in determining the outcome.

Rogers, a former congressman, is attempting to win the Senate seat currently held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters.

Endorsement Matters in Michigan Senate Race

Michigan is among the most closely watched states in the 2026 midterm elections.

The Senate contest between Rogers and El-Sayed could influence which party controls the chamber during the final two years of Trump's second presidential term.

Democrats consider retaining Peters' seat essential to their effort to maintain or regain Senate control.

The endorsement also comes at a particularly sensitive time for Democratic organizers working to increase turnout in Detroit and surrounding communities.

Stevens won Wayne and Oakland counties during the August primary, demonstrating her ability to attract voters in areas that are important to statewide Democratic campaigns.

Whether her endorsement of Rogers will persuade some of those voters to support the Republican remains uncertain.

Early voting began Oct. 24, and more than 1.8 million Michigan voters had already cast ballots by Oct. 30, according to the figures provided in the Associated Press report.

With Election Day approaching Nov. 3, both campaigns are working to maintain support and encourage voters who have not yet participated to cast their ballots.

The political consequences of Stevens' decision may extend beyond the immediate Senate contest, particularly as Democrats continue debating how the party should address disagreements over Israel, religious discrimination and its broader political identity.

A Democratic Party Facing a Difficult Final Test

Stevens' endorsement of Rogers represents an extraordinary break from traditional party loyalty, especially coming from a sitting Democratic congresswoman who recently pledged to support her party's nominee.

Her decision appears to reflect several overlapping disagreements: frustration over being excluded from El-Sayed's campaign, objections to rhetoric surrounding Israel, concerns about associations with controversial political personalities and a growing personal divide between the former primary opponents.

For Rogers, the endorsement provides a prominent Democratic voice supporting his candidacy at a critical moment.

For El-Sayed, it creates another challenge as he attempts to keep his campaign focused on affordability and other concerns affecting Michigan families.

The episode also illustrates how disagreements within political parties can become particularly consequential when they emerge just before an election.

With Michigan voters preparing to decide who will represent them in the Senate, the question is whether Stevens' endorsement will have a meaningful effect at the ballot box or become another episode in an already contentious campaign.

Note: This article distinguishes Stevens' stated reasons for endorsing Rogers from the broader political interpretations offered by Democrats and Republicans. Her endorsement is not proof that Democratic voters will follow her lead. The election outcome remains undecided as of Nov. 2, 2026.

Additional Information 

The following reporting provides additional context about the endorsement, the candidates and the divisions within Michigan's Democratic Party.

1. Associated Press: El-Sayed's Primary Opponent Stuns Democrats by Endorsing Republican in Michigan Senate Race 

2. Axios: Haley Stevens Endorses Mike Rogers Amid Michigan Democratic Feud 

3. ABC News: Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens Endorses GOP Candidate Mike Rogers 

4. Michigan Public: Haley Stevens Endorses GOP's Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race 

5. Roll Call: Democrat Haley Stevens Endorses GOP Senate Nominee 

6. CBS News: Haley Stevens Appears With Republican Mike Rogers Amid Rift With Abdul El-Sayed 

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