Haley Stevens Breaks With Democrats to Endorse Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race
DETROIT, Michigan | November 1, 2026 — Democratic U.S. Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race Sunday, crossing party lines just two days before the November 3 election. Rogers faces Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed for the seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Gary Peters.
What happened Sunday?
Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at Detroit’s Perfecting Church and subsequently issued an endorsement on social media. She had previously supported El-Sayed following her loss to him in Michigan’s August Democratic primary.
Stevens said El-Sayed’s campaign had made clear that she was not welcome at campaign appearances. Democratic officials and campaign figures criticized the switch, while the Rogers campaign welcomed her support. Reporting also indicated staff departures following her decision.
Where did the disagreement begin?
The split followed months of disagreement about Israel and campaign messaging. Stevens criticized an advertisement by an outside progressive organization that connected U.S. aid for Israel to high grocery prices and called the ad antisemitic. El-Sayed said his campaign did not produce the advertisement and opposed its content. Their positions on the disputed outside ad should not be conflated.
Stevens was also critical of El-Sayed’s past association with political commentator Hasan Piker. Plans for a public unity appearance collapsed in the closing days of the campaign.
Why does it matter?
The endorsement underscores divisions within Michigan’s Democratic coalition at a sensitive point in a competitive Senate contest. Both campaigns have been seeking support among diverse Michigan constituencies, including Black and Jewish voters. It is not possible to determine from the endorsement alone whether or how it will affect turnout or the final result.
What it means
The central verified development is a prominent Democratic elected official’s public endorsement of her party’s Republican opponent. The reasons given by the participants are contested political accounts, and Michigan voters will determine the election outcome Tuesday.
