Stevens Endorses Rogers After Falling Out With El-Sayed

Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, reversing her previous support for Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The decision follows a reported disagreement between the two women’s campaign teams, which led El-Sayed’s staff to ask Stevens to limit her involvement in his bid.

Stevens announced the switch in a video posted on the social media platform X. She stated that El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and that she should stay away. Stevens added that she agreed with that assessment, which is why she was supporting Rogers for the Senate seat.

Leaders from both the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party condemned the move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the decision despicable. He noted that Senate Democrats are united behind El-Sayed, who he said will fight for the economic interests of working families in Michigan. Schumer described Rogers as a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also criticized the endorsement. In a post on X, he argued that El-Sayed will prioritize the American people and work to lower the high cost of living. Jeffries called Rogers a partisan hack who represents more of the same MAGA extremism. He stated that electing El-Sayed is critical to flipping control of the U.S. Senate.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had previously endorsed Stevens in the primary race, described the shift as a dangerous betrayal. She said Stevens chose to harm Michigan families’ healthcare, freedoms, and future by supporting Rogers. Pelosi insisted that El-Sayed must win because Michigan and the country deserve better.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told the New York Times that the pivot was galling. He explained that the choice on the ballot is between fighting for working people, as El-Sayed has done, or amplifying a candidate who wants to cut Medicare further. Mamdani noted that Rogers seeks to reduce Medicare benefits beyond the current levels.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortey dismissed the move as a distraction during a campaign stop in the Astoria neighborhood of New York City. She said El-Sayed is clearly the leader needed in this moment and that Stevens’ action is not worth the attention it receives.

Sitting Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin said she tried to remain out of the political drama between Stevens and El-Sayed. She stated that too much is at stake for her to stay silent. Slotkin wrote that anyone who makes an important election about themselves rather than Michiganders and the democracy should consider whether they are serving the greater good.

Sen. Gary Peters, who is leaving office, expressed extreme disappointment in Stevens. Peters posted on X that he endorsed El-Sayed and has campaigned with him. He said they will cast their ballots for El-Sayed and every Democrat on the ballot to stop the economic pain crushing Michiganders and check the corruption and chaos of the Trump administration.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin labeled the endorsement a last-minute political stunt. He said the move was designed to sow division and derail momentum within the party.