Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race

As of 8:25 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026

Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, two days before Election Day, breaking with her party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, in a race that could help decide control of the Senate.

"Hey, Michigan, as you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away," Stevens said in a video, according to NBC News. "And he's right, and that's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today. I don't belong in Abdul's campaign."

The Associated Press reported that Stevens announced the endorsement after attending a church service in Detroit with Rogers. A Rogers spokesperson, Abby Ronson, confirmed the joint appearance to NBC News. "Mike welcomes her," Ronson said.

How the split happened

Stevens narrowly lost the August Democratic primary to El-Sayed. According to AP and NBC, just days before her endorsement she had said she would vote for him. She was due to appear with him at a joint event Sunday, AP reported, but was uninvited.

The two clashed last week over an outside group's ad that linked U.S. military aid to Israel to rising grocery prices, CBS News reported. Stevens called the ad antisemitic and urged El-Sayed to condemn it. El-Sayed accused her of "relitigating a primary that ended three months ago" and said the ad "was not made by me" and that he disagrees with it, according to CBS.

NBC reported Saturday that El-Sayed's campaign had asked Stevens to stop attending campaign events after the two traded statements.

Speaking to reporters Sunday, Stevens said she was not "turning her back on Democrats," CBS reported. "It is this one vote," she said. "It's my personal and private decision."

Rogers said he was honored to have her support. "This is more a statement about standing together against hate and the future of this state and this country than it is anything else," he told reporters, according to CBS. He said Stevens called him Sunday morning and reminded him at the end of the call that she is still a Democrat.

State party chair responds

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel responded on X on Sunday afternoon: "Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future."

Chief of staff resigns

Stevens' longtime chief of staff, Justin German, said in a statement that he had resigned, along with other members of her staff. The statement was carried by NBC News and CBS News.

"We are shocked and heartbroken by Congresswoman Stevens' decision to support Mike Rogers," German said. "As of this morning, many members of our team have resigned, including myself."

He urged voters to "vote for Abdul and Democrats up and down the ballot," NBC reported.

Trump praises Stevens

President Donald Trump praised Stevens in a Truth Social post at 1:38 p.m. ET Sunday. "Wow, this is BIG!" he wrote, calling her "a Highly Respected Democrat."

Trump also wrote: "Her following is huge, and the level of respect from the People of Michigan, especially our African American and Jewish populations, is virtually unparalleled." He offered no evidence for that claim.

"Haley said what few people are willing to say. She showed great and almost unprecedented loyalty to the Great People of Michigan with what she did," Trump wrote. "It's a thing called bravery, and few people have it like just displayed by Congresswoman Haley Stevens!"

What's next

The winner of Tuesday's election will succeed Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who is not seeking another term, according to NBC. AP describes Rogers, a former congressman, as Trump-backed. El-Sayed is a former Michigan public health official.