Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens Endorses GOP Mike Rogers, Fracturing Party Two Days Before Election

Key points

• Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August, endorsed Rogers on Sunday after El-Sayed's campaign asked her to stay away from events.
• The feud centered on El-Sayed's refusal to condemn an ad from an outside group that Stevens deemed antisemitic, linking U.S. aid to Israel to rising prices.
• Stevens appeared with Rogers at a Detroit church service before announcing her endorsement, while El-Sayed attended a separate unity event with other Democrats.
• Stevens' chief of staff Justin German and several other staff members resigned over the endorsement, and the Michigan Democratic Party expelled her from the party.
• Trump praised Stevens for her endorsement, calling it 'bravery,' while Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer and Elissa Slotkin condemned her move as a betrayal.

Background

Stevens and El-Sayed had a bitter primary battle in August, with Stevens narrowly losing. The Michigan Senate race is viewed as pivotal for Senate control, with the winner replacing retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Early voting began on October 24, before the latest dispute erupted, and more than 2 million votes have already been cast in the state.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and The Washington Post emphasize the public feud and Stevens' exclusion from campaign events as the catalyst for her endorsement. Al Jazeera highlights the broader context of the Israel-Gaza conflict and the role of an AIPAC-affiliated super PAC in the primary. Axios focuses on the fierce backlash from Democratic colleagues and party officials, with some centrists blaming El-Sayed for not condemning the ad and inviting Stevens to church. All sources agree on the facts of the endorsement and the immediate fallout, but differ in emphasis on the underlying causes and reactions.

Why it matters

The endorsement could affect the outcome of a closely contested race that could determine which party controls the Senate. It has fractured Michigan Democrats and intensified national concerns over party unity in the final days of the campaign. The move also highlights the deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy and the impact of outside groups on the election.

What to watch

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide the Michigan Senate race. It is unclear how much Stevens' endorsement could affect the race's outcome, given that more than 2 million votes have already been cast. Democratic leaders are urging voters to support El-Sayed and the Democratic ticket, while Republicans are celebrating Stevens' endorsement as a sign of growing support for their candidate.