Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race

On November 1, 2026, Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over her former primary rival, Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, in Michigan's crucial U.S. Senate race. The endorsement followed an escalating feud over Israel-related advertising and campaign rhetoric. The move prompted immediate condemnations from Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer, and triggered staff resignations in Stevens' office, while Donald Trump praised the decision.

Endorsement of Mike Rogers

• ▪Representative Haley Stevens released a social media video endorsing Republican Mike Rogers after stating Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed told Representative Stevens she was no longer welcome in El-Sayed's campaign
• ▪Mike Rogers' spokesperson Abby Ronson stated on November 1, 2026, that Rogers welcomed Representative Haley Stevens' support ahead of her public endorsement video for Mike Rogers
• ▪In her endorsement video for Mike Rogers, Representative Haley Stevens stated she remained a proud Democrat but refused to stand with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who had campaigned with Abdul El-Sayed
• ▪Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers stated on November 1, 2026, that Representative Haley Stevens' endorsement of him was a statement about standing together against hate
• ▪Democratic Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan's U.S. Senate race
• ▪Representative Haley Stevens appeared alongside Republican Mike Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit on Sunday, November 1, 2026, before publicly releasing her endorsement video for Mike Rogers

Reactions from Democratic leaders

• ▪Following Representative Haley Stevens' endorsement of Mike Rogers, Abdul El-Sayed stated to reporters on November 1, 2026, that he does not think about Representative Stevens and is focused on Michigan voters
• ▪Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel stated on November 1, 2026, that Representative Haley Stevens is no longer a member of the Michigan Democratic Party
• ▪Democratic National Committee Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins described Representative Haley Stevens as a "sellout who used Black Michiganders for a political stunt."
• ▪Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Representative Haley Stevens' endorsement of Mike Rogers a "despicable betrayal" and affirmed Senate Democrats' support for Abdul El-Sayed

Resignations of Stevens' staff

• ▪Representative Haley Stevens' chief of staff Justin German and several congressional staff members resigned
• ▪Following chief of staff Justin German's resignation on November 1, 2026, he released a statement encouraging Michiganders to vote for Abdul El-Sayed and Democratic candidates

Democratic primary and initial endorsement

• ▪Representative Haley Stevens initially endorsed Abdul El-Sayed immediately following his August 2026 Democratic primary victory before public disputes over Israel-related advertising emerged between them
• ▪Abdul El-Sayed defeated Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan's August 2026 Democratic Senate primary by less than one percentage point
• ▪Representative Haley Stevens stated on November 1, 2026, that she never felt welcome standing with the Democratic Party after endorsing Abdul El-Sayed following the August 2026 Democratic primary

Disputes over ad and unity event

• ▪Abdul El-Sayed's campaign stated that he had no involvement with an outside group's advertisement, which Stevens called antisemitic, and criticized the advertisement's contents on Saturday, October 31, 2026
• ▪Disputes between Representative Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed intensified after Representative Stevens demanded El-Sayed disavow an outside group's advertisement, which she called antisemitic, that blamed Israel for high U.S. grocery prices