1.8 million Michiganders have voted as Stevens endorses GOP rival Rogers
The former primary opponent’s sudden switch to the Republican candidate comes days before the general election and after a dispute over a joint church event.
By Layla Richardson ·
More than 1.8 million voters in Michigan have already cast ballots for the U.S. Senate race, according to state data released Friday. The high turnout figure arrives just days before the general election, a contest that could determine which party controls the Senate for the final two years of the current administration. The numbers underscore the intensity of a campaign now marred by a sudden intra-party rift.
Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a Democrat, endorsed Republican challenger Mike Rogers on Sunday. Stevens made the announcement after attending a church service with Rogers at Perfecting Church near Detroit. She described the move as a response to being told by her own party nominee that she was no longer welcome in his campaign. Stevens stated in a video that Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee, told her to stay away. She said, "And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."
The endorsement followed a dispute that prevented Stevens from joining a planned joint event with El-Sayed. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, who helped organize the gathering, said she asked Stevens not to attend because the situation had become "way too distracting." Dingell noted that Stevens agreed to the request. Instead of appearing together, Stevens worshipped with Rogers and his wife Kristi, while El-Sayed campaigned at a different church with Rep. Jim Clyburn and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.
El-Sayed dismissed the endorsement shortly after it was announced. He told reporters he was focused on the high cost of living and other issues voters care about. "At the end of the day I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens," El-Sayed said. He added, "None of this matters." The tension between the two candidates has existed since the August primary, where El-Sayed defeated Stevens by a narrow margin. Their disagreements have centered on policy positions regarding Israel and past public remarks.
Stevens’ decision caused immediate turmoil within her team. Her longtime chief of staff resigned, and other staff members are expected to follow, according to a person familiar with the internal developments. The aide described the move as "shocked and heartbroken." Curtis Hertel, the state party chair, rejected Stevens’ attempt to divide the party. He wrote that Stevens is no longer a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who supported Stevens in the primary, called the endorsement a "despicable betrayal."
The race pits El-Sayed, a former public health official, against Rogers, a former congressman. They are competing for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. Keeping the seat in Democratic hands is essential for the party’s goal of maintaining a majority. Early voting began on Oct. 24. In the 2022 midterm election, a record 4.5 million ballots were cast in the state. Trump praised Stevens on social media, calling her a "Highly Respected Democrat." A spokesman for the Republican National Committee said that Democrats who feel abandoned by El-Sayed have a home with Rogers.
