Breaking: Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers for Senate

Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's U.S. Senate race on Sunday, November 1, 2026, breaking with her party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, two days before Election Day, according to CBS News and the Associated Press.

Stevens, who narrowly lost the August Democratic primary to El-Sayed, appeared with Rogers at a Sunday morning service at Perfecting Church in Detroit, FOX 2 Detroit and The Washington Post reported. The endorsement followed days of public tension between Stevens and El-Sayed over a political ad she called antisemitic.

What did Stevens say about endorsing Rogers?

In a video posted to social media, Stevens said El-Sayed had told her she was "no longer welcome in his campaign" and should stay away, and that she agreed with him, which is why she was endorsing Rogers, CBS News reported.

Speaking at the Detroit church, Stevens said El-Sayed had made it clear she was not welcome, according to FOX 2 Detroit. She said about 90% of her votes still go to Democrats and that a large group of Democrats supporting Rogers live in her district. She also said she was not trying to undermine El-Sayed but wanted to be honest about where her heart is, the station reported.

Rogers said he was honored to have her support and that Stevens had reminded him she is still a Democrat, FOX 2 Detroit reported. On Friday, Rogers praised Stevens on X as a courageous leader and said she was right to call on El-Sayed to denounce the ad, according to CBS News and FOX 2.

How did the split with El-Sayed unfold?

Last week, Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn an ad from an outside group that tied U.S. military aid to Israel to rising grocery prices, an ad she described as antisemitic, CBS News reported. FOX 2 Detroit reported that the ad came from Rebellion PAC and was produced by Cenk Uygur, the uncle of streamer Hasan Piker, who has campaigned for El-Sayed. El-Sayed has said his campaign is not affiliated with the group.

El-Sayed said the ad was not made by him and that he disagrees with it, and he accused Stevens of relitigating a primary that ended three months ago, according to CBS News. Stevens responded that a disclaimer is not the same as a condemnation, FOX 2 Detroit reported.

CBS News previously reported that Stevens had been asked to stay away from the campaign's remaining events. She had been expected at a Sunday unity event with Rep. Jim Clyburn, but El-Sayed said Saturday that he would rather not distract from the key issues of the campaign, CBS reported. Stevens' fiancé, Jason Turkish, said last week he is voting for Rogers, according to CBS News.

During the primary, Stevens was heavily supported by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and after her loss she said she supported the Democratic ticket, CBS reported. The Post noted that Stevens had previously said she wanted a Democratic victory in the race. NewsCubby's earlier look at the Michigan Senate race and its report on Democrats leaving the Senate line blank cover the background of the contest.

How have Democrats responded?

Schumer said Senate Democrats remain united behind El-Sayed and criticized Rogers as aligned with President Donald Trump and wealthy donors, according to CBS News. Dingell said voters want leaders focused on affordability, criticized what she described as Stevens' continued efforts to get attention, and urged Michiganders to elect El-Sayed, CBS reported.

El-Sayed spent Sunday at a different Detroit church. An AP photo caption shows him and his wife, Sarah Jukaku, at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ with Clyburn, Dingell and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.

What we know

• Stevens endorsed Rogers on Sunday and appeared with him at Perfecting Church in Detroit, according to CBS News, FOX 2 Detroit, the AP and The Washington Post.
• Stevens said El-Sayed told her she was not welcome in his campaign; El-Sayed said he would rather not distract from the campaign's key issues.
• Schumer and Dingell restated their support for El-Sayed.

What we don't know yet

• Whether El-Sayed's campaign will respond further to the endorsement.
• Whether Stevens will appear at other Rogers campaign events before polls close.

What's next

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. For the wider picture, see NewsCubby's midterms state of play.

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*NewsCubby articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed by humans.*