Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a 25-minute phone call to fellow Democrat Haley Stevens in an attempt to dissuade her from supporting Republican candidate Mike Rogers, a last-ditch effort that ultimately proved unsuccessful. The conversation, revealed by Politico, occurred shortly before the Michigan Senate election was thrown into chaos.
Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent supporter of progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, reportedly reached out to Stevens after concerns arose that Stevens might follow her fiancé, Jason Turkish, in endorsing Rogers. Ocasio-Cortez had been actively campaigning for El-Sayed in Michigan after he defeated Stevens in the Democratic primary.
Sources indicated that the call on October 28 ended on positive terms, with Stevens assuring Ocasio-Cortez via text message that she was "still on the team." The exchange included messages of mutual appreciation, with Stevens thanking Ocasio-Cortez for listening and Ocasio-Cortez expressing hope for future connection.
However, this assurance was short-lived. Just days later, Stevens announced her endorsement of Rogers at a church event in Detroit, a move that surprised and dismayed party leaders. This decision came despite her earlier assurances to senior Democrats that she would stand by the party's nominee.
Stevens had previously expressed frustrations with Ocasio-Cortez, including a comment in an October 26 interview with Politico that Ocasio-Cortez's campaign events felt "exclusive." Stevens also cited Ocasio-Cortez's lack of response to a previous text message.
The endorsement followed weeks of tension between Stevens and El-Sayed, reportedly stemming from disagreements over foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and Iran. Stevens had criticized El-Sayed's comments on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and his stance on threats posed by Iran and Israel. She also called for him to condemn an advertisement she deemed antisemitic and to remove a campaign ad featuring Tucker Carlson.
Further complicating matters, El-Sayed's campaign had allegedly asked Stevens to disengage from their remaining campaign events, viewing the public disputes as a distraction. Stevens' endorsement of Rogers was met with immediate backlash, including resignations from members of her congressional staff.
President Donald Trump publicly welcomed Stevens' endorsement, expressing a desire for her to join the Republican Party.
The Daily Mail reported reaching out to Ocasio-Cortez's team for comment on the situation.