Haley Stevens Backs Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Contest

Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the US Senate on Sunday, withdrawing her support for Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed two days before Election Day. Stevens, who competed against El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, cited concerns involving antisemitism as she announced the switch in a race that could determine control of the Senate.

The decision exposed further divisions between the Democratic Party and Zionist Jewish communities, with El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel having alienated many Jewish voters. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Stevens’ endorsement as “a despicable betrayal,” while President Donald Trump praised it on Truth Social as an act of bravery.

Stevens had continued to publicly support El-Sayed until Sunday and was scheduled to join him and Black Democratic leaders at a Detroit church event encouraging voter turnout. Her Jewish fiancée, Democratic megadonor Jason Turkish, had announced his support for Rogers several days earlier. On Friday, Stevens made her participation in the campaign event conditional on El-Sayed repudiating an outside political action committee’s advertisement blaming Israel for higher grocery prices. El-Sayed declined and instead criticized the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC’s substantial spending to support Stevens during the primary.

When announcing her endorsement, Stevens focused on El-Sayed’s spring appearances at college campuses with anti-Israel streamer Hasan Piker. In a video, she said those appearances helped explain why she no longer belonged in El-Sayed’s campaign. She repeated her objections during a brief press conference alongside Rogers, saying, “We can’t stand with hate.” Rogers criticized the grocery advertisement by drawing a comparison to 1933 and said Jewish Democrats had contacted him with fears about their children remaining in Michigan.

Piker responded on social media by accusing Stevens of acting out of self-interest and receiving financial rewards for her focus on Israel. El-Sayed has repeatedly distanced himself from Piker since their joint primary campaign appearances, including during the past week after the streamer likened a Michigan suburb with a large Jewish population to “a KKK neighborhood.”

At his own Sunday press conference, El-Sayed dismissed the endorsement and challenged Stevens’ argument that supporting Rogers amounted to opposing hate. He said people concerned about hatred should reconsider backing Rogers, Trump and JD Vance in light of the campaign. Republican messaging targeting El-Sayed has faced criticism for encouraging fears about Islam.

Stevens maintained that she remained a proud Democrat, but numerous staff members, including her chief of staff, resigned following the announcement. Former campaign spokesperson Arik Wolk also criticized her decision. Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Jewish Democrat who has campaigned with El-Sayed, questioned whether someone making such an important election about themselves was serving the broader public interest.

Criticism also came from Jewish organizations that had not endorsed El-Sayed. The liberal pro-Israel lobby J Street accused Stevens of using legitimate fears about antisemitism to advance personal grievances. Halie Soifer, chief executive of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, responded by arguing that voting for any Republican in 2026 meant supporting Trump.