Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in the state’s U.S. Senate race, in a video posted to X on Sunday.
Rogers is facing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who beat Stevens in the Michigan Democratic primary in early August.
“I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States senate,” Stevens said. “I don’t stand with Hasan Piker, who gets trafficked on our college campuses. … I’m still a very proud Democrat.”
Stevens noted that El-Sayed said that she is no longer welcome in his campaign, and that she should stay away.
Stevens mentioned online influencer Hasan Piker in her video. Piker was criticized for saying America “deserved” 9/11 and has campaigned with El-Sayed.
Video emerged of Stevens attending a church service with Rogers on Sunday.
President Donald Trump complimented Haley for showing “unprecedented loyalty” to the people of Michigan.
“Her following is huge, and the level of respect from the People of Michigan, especially our African American and Jewish populations, is virtually unparalleled,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Haley said what few people are willing to say. … It’s a thing called bravery, and few people have it like just displayed by Congresswoman Haley Stevens!”
Justin German, Stevens’s chief of staff, released a statement to the media saying he spoke on behalf of “our team in wholeheartedly supporting Abdul El-Sayed.”
“We are shocked and heartbroken by Congresswoman Stevens’ decision to support Mike Rogers,” German said in the statement.
German said he has resigned as have many other members of Stevens’s team.
Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Stevens has been removed from the state party.
“Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future,” Hertel said in a post on X.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Haley’s endorsement of Rogers a “despicable betrayal.”
“Senate Democrats are united in our support for Abdul El-Sayed, because we know he will fight for the economic interests of working families in Michigan, unlike Mike Rogers, who is a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors,” Schumer said on X.
Michigan Democratic U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin said she had tried to avoid posting on Haley’s endorsement of Rogers, but said there was too much at stake.
“People outside of Michigan sometimes have a hard time understanding our politics. And in moments like these, I get it,” Slotkin said in a post on X. “But here’s the simple truth: The election on Tuesday is bigger than any one person. It’s about who we are as a country and the values that most represent us. Michigan elects fighters, and we will elect @AbdulElSayed on November 3.”
Rogers, a former FBI agent, served in the House for 14 years after representing Michigan’s 26th district in the state Senate. He has described his platform as “common sense” politics, criticizing El-Sayed as too “extreme” for Michigan.
El-Sayed has been described as a progressive populist with a platform that includes Medicare For All, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement in favor of returning to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and ending U.S. military support for Israel and other foreign nations.
El Sayed holds a 7-point lead at 51 percent to Rogers’ 44 percent in a poll conducted Oct. 26-27 by Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. The poll questioned likely voters in the November general election.
Michigan’s Senate race could help determine control of the chamber. Republicans hold a 53–47 majority, meaning Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. A Rogers victory would flip retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ seat, making Democrats’ path to a majority more difficult and strengthening Republicans’ chances of retaining power.
Jacob Burg contributed to this report.
We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.