Midterm Chaos: Stevens Endorses GOP, Trump Rallies in Iowa, Alaska Lawsuit Dismissed

Key points

• Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the US Senate, citing her exclusion from Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign and his refusal to condemn an ad regarding Israel.
• President Trump praised Stevens’ switch at a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, calling it 'brave' and stating he would 'love' for her to join the Republican Party.
• A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit aimed at blocking certification of Alaska’s Senate race if incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, citing infeasibility due to early voting.
• More than 54 million early votes have been cast, with Georgia seeing record turnout that has alarmed Republicans due to higher Black and Latino participation.
• Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, condemned Stevens’ endorsement as a 'betrayal,' while El-Sayed dismissed the move as a distraction.

Background

The 2026 midterms are critical for determining control of Congress and checking the power of President Trump’s second term. The Michigan Senate seat is pivotal, having been held by Republicans since 1994. Recent archive coverage highlights that the Stevens-Rogers endorsement followed a public feud over Israel policy and campaign unity, intensifying concerns about Democratic fragmentation ahead of the election.

How outlets are covering it

AP News and The Guardian emphasize the intra-party crisis, noting that Stevens’ endorsement triggered staff resignations and sharp criticism from Democratic leaders like Schumer and Pelosi. Al Jazeera highlights Trump’s direct attacks on El-Sayed, calling him 'arrogant' and 'nasty' during the Iowa rally. The Guardian also notes that Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel appeared to expel Stevens from the party. In contrast, BNO News reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Stevens as 'thoughtful' and called the election a 'contrast election.' AP and Al Jazeera both report that El-Sayed dismissed the endorsement, focusing instead on policy issues like Medicare and corporate spending.

Why it matters

The Stevens endorsement could shift the balance in the pivotal Michigan Senate race, potentially affecting overall Senate control. The dismissal of the Alaska lawsuit removes a legal obstacle for the Democratic candidate, Mary Peltola, in a closely watched race. High early vote numbers and record turnout in states like Georgia indicate a highly engaged electorate, with the outcome of these races likely to determine whether Congress can check presidential power in the coming term.

What to watch

President Trump is scheduled to hold a final rally in Salina, Kansas, before delivering a closing pitch at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington on Monday. The US Senate and House elections will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The Justice Department has indicated it will appeal the dismissal of the Alaska lawsuit. Democrats are urging voters to focus on El-Sayed in Michigan despite the Stevens rift, while Republicans are pushing for turnout in battleground states like Iowa and Kansas.