Rep. Haley Stevens Appears With GOP Rival Mike Rogers

Rep. Haley Stevens appeared alongside Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers at a Detroit church on Sunday. This move came just days before the election after she was disinvited from a planned event with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. The shift highlights deep cracks within the Democratic party in Michigan.

Stevens had lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed by just one percentage point in August. She was originally set to attend a unity rally with El-Sayed this past Sunday. However, the two clashed late last week over a controversial advertisement. El-Sayed then gloated about his primary win and removed Stevens from the guest list.

The Ad That Split the Party

The dispute centers on an ad produced by Rebellion PAC that blames high grocery prices on U.S. support for Israel. Stevens called the ad antisemitic and pressured El-Sayed to condemn it publicly. El-Sayed stated the ad was not made by his campaign and said he disagreed with its contents. Rep. Debbie Dingell, who helped organize the event, said Stevens was asked to skip it because the fight upset the church’s bishop. An outside group’s ad connecting U.S. support for Israel to rising grocery costs prompted Stevens to urge El-Sayed to condemn it.

Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, has already endorsed Rogers for the Senate seat. He appeared at a Rogers campaign event and said he could not support El-Sayed due to his views on Israel. This family split mirrors the broader division among voters in the state. The conflict has drawn attention to the Democratic coalition in a very close Senate race.

A Surprising Shift in Strategy

During her time with Rogers, Stevens highlighted her support for investing in Black-owned businesses. She told reporters that Rogers would focus on this specific policy area. “And that’s the policy that Mike’s going to take on,” she told reporters before entering the nave, according to the New York Post. This comment suggests a potential pivot in her public stance toward the Republican candidate.

Other prominent Democrats have also distanced themselves from El-Sayed. Rep. Nancy Pelosi denounced El-Sayed, declaring his radical, anti-Israel views to be “more than concerning.” Rep. John Fetterman said he cannot support the “pro-Hamas candidate” El-Sayed. Former Republican congressman Michael La Rosa threw his support behind Rogers back in August. Establishment Democrats spent $63.9 million trying to stop El-Sayed’s campaign before the primary.

Polls indicate this is one of the tightest Senate races in the entire country. The Democratic infighting could determine who controls the U.S. Senate chamber. Stevens’ appearance with Rogers marks the latest high-profile defection from the El-Sayed campaign. Particularly among Jewish and Black voters, El-Sayed’s coalition has encountered divisions.

The race now moves toward the final election day with both sides digging in. Voters will decide whether to back Rogers or the fractured Democratic ticket. The outcome in Michigan could swing the balance of power in Washington.