Outgoing Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race, a move that surprised many and has caused significant backlash from within her own party.
Stevens, who narrowly lost the Democratic primary nomination, stated that she does not believe Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is fit to be a U.S. senator. She explained her decision on "The Scott Jennings Show," citing concerns over El-Sayed's "lefty agenda" and specific campaign advertisements. Stevens mentioned ads that blamed Jewish people for high grocery prices and suggested El-Sayed did not do enough to distance himself from them as a particular red line. She described having an "epiphany" late Saturday, realizing she was not being "honest with myself" about her support for El-Sayed.
Stevens' endorsement came as vote counting was underway in Michigan. Some Republican insiders believe her backing could sway moderate voters and help Rogers in a competitive race. "I'm at peace with this. I'm not wrestling with this," Stevens said of her decision to support Rogers.
El-Sayed's campaign initially signaled openness to Stevens' support but noted that "Abdul pushed her out." A source close to the campaign suggested that Stevens felt snubbed by the El-Sayed campaign after she had publicly criticized an advertisement and was subsequently disinvited from a planned unity event.
"When you tell someone they’re not welcome somewhere, what are they supposed to do?" a source familiar with Stevens' decision commented. "To quote Abdul El-Sayed, ‘Hurt people, hurt people.’"
Democrats reacted with anger and disbelief. Several lawmakers had reportedly sought assurances from Stevens that she would continue to back El-Sayed, despite her public reservations. El-Sayed himself gloated over defeating Stevens in the primary, highlighting his campaign's ability to overcome significant outside spending.
Stevens lost key staff members from her congressional office who resigned in protest. Her former campaign press secretary, Joetta Appiah, stated that Stevens was "walking back on everything her campaign stood for."
Despite speculation that her fiancé, Jason Turkish, influenced her decision, Stevens publicly dismissed the notion, telling Jennings that "any notion that I was forced into my decision is all more of the same" and that "we’re not the kind of women to be brainwashed."
Stevens is not the only Democrat to express reservations about El-Sayed. Former Detroit-area Congressman Hansen Clarke has also backed Rogers, and former Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Lon Johnson stated he would not vote for El-Sayed.
Rogers welcomed Stevens' endorsement, calling her "brave" and stating that "there are lots of Democrats that are joining us."