In a move that has sent ripples through Michigan's political landscape, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The endorsement, which came just days before the election, was hailed by Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump, as an "act of bravery" and an important contribution to the country.
However, the endorsement had a markedly different effect on the opposing campaign. The campaign for Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed reported a record-breaking fundraising day, bringing in $2.4 million in the hours following Stevens' announcement. This surge came from over 65,000 donors, with nearly half contributing for the first time. El-Sayed's campaign stated the funds will be used to ensure his message reaches voters across the state during the final stretch of the campaign.
The endorsement followed a period of tension between Stevens and El-Sayed, who had previously defeated Stevens in the Democratic primary by a narrow margin. While they initially appeared together after the primary, Stevens had not subsequently joined El-Sayed on the campaign trail. Recent events, including Stevens' fiancé's attendance at a GOP event and Stevens' call for El-Sayed to disavow certain campaign ads she deemed offensive, appear to have escalated the friction.
Stevens explained her decision to endorse Rogers, telling ABC News that she felt compelled to speak out against what she described as a dangerous direction for the Democratic Party, citing "socialist, far extreme, hateful division." She indicated that she believed someone needed to say "this crap has got to stop."
El-Sayed, when asked about Stevens' endorsement, downplayed its significance, telling reporters, "At the end of the day. I actually don't think about Haley Stevens," and added, "None of this matters."
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel suggested that Stevens' endorsement marked her departure from the party, stating she has "abandoned everything she claims to care about" and is "not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the move as a "despicable betrayal," and some House Democratic colleagues have suggested Stevens could face expulsion from the House Democratic caucus.
Despite these reactions, Stevens asserted to ABC News that she "fully represents" and is "fully in" the Democratic Party.
Recent polling indicated El-Sayed held a lead in the race. A CNN poll from the previous week showed him with a significant advantage among Black voters, a key demographic in the state. Earlier polls also showed El-Sayed ahead of Rogers.