In a stunning political development just days before the 2026 US midterm elections, Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens has crossed party lines to endorse Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan.

Stevens, who narrowly lost the Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, announced her decision on November 1, publicly backing the Republican candidate instead of her own party’s nominee.

The endorsement has intensified divisions among Michigan Democrats and created a new challenge for a party hoping to secure control of the US Senate.

The announcement came just two days before Election Day, making the political fallout particularly significant.

Why Did Haley Stevens Endorse a Republican?

Stevens’ decision followed weeks of growing tension with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

The disagreement centered partly on Israel, campaign messaging and an advertisement released by an outside political group supporting El-Sayed.

Stevens criticized the advertisement, arguing that its message was antisemitic and demanding that El-Sayed publicly condemn it.

The advertisement connected American financial support for Israel with the rising cost of living, including grocery expenses.

El-Sayed said the advertisement was not produced by his campaign and stated that he disagreed with its contents.

The disagreement became increasingly public during the final days of the campaign.

According to ABC News’ report on Stevens’ endorsement, Stevens said she no longer belonged in El-Sayed’s campaign and announced that she would support Rogers.

Stevens Appears With Republican Mike Rogers

On November 1, Stevens appeared alongside Mike Rogers at a church service in Detroit, publicly demonstrating her support for the Republican candidate.

She had originally been expected to participate in a joint appearance with El-Sayed as Democrats attempted to present a united front before Election Day.

However, those plans collapsed amid the growing dispute.

In her announcement, Stevens said the Democratic nominee had made clear that she was no longer welcome in his campaign.

She subsequently declared her endorsement of Rogers.

Stevens also insisted that she remained a proud Democrat and continued to support many of the party’s principles, despite choosing to back a Republican in the Senate contest.

Democratic Leaders React With Anger

The endorsement triggered an immediate backlash from Democratic politicians and party officials.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Stevens’ decision, describing it as a betrayal of the party’s efforts to win control of the Senate.

Michigan Democratic Party officials also condemned her decision, arguing that she was helping a Republican candidate supported by President Donald Trump.

Several Democratic lawmakers urged voters to remain focused on the election rather than the internal dispute.

The controversy also affected Stevens’ own congressional office. Her longtime chief of staff, Justin German, announced his resignation, and additional staff departures were reported.

The Washington Post reported on the political backlash and staff resignations.

Trump Praises Stevens’ Decision

President Donald Trump welcomed the endorsement and publicly praised Stevens for supporting Republican candidate Mike Rogers.

Republican leaders also described the move as a significant development for their efforts to retain control of Congress.

The endorsement gives Rogers an opportunity to appeal to voters who previously supported Stevens during the Democratic primary.

However, it remains uncertain how many of her supporters will follow her recommendation.

Who Are the Candidates in Michigan’s Senate Race?

The Michigan Senate contest features two major candidates:

Mike Rogers — Republican

Rogers is a former congressman and the Republican nominee. He has received Trump’s endorsement and is attempting to win the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

Abdul El-Sayed — Democrat

El-Sayed is a former Michigan public health official who won the Democratic primary against Stevens. His campaign has focused on healthcare, affordability and economic issues affecting Michigan families.

The race is considered important nationally because its outcome could influence which party controls the US Senate.

Could the Endorsement Change the Election?

Stevens previously attracted substantial support from Democratic voters in Wayne and Oakland counties, two important areas of Michigan.

Her endorsement could create complications for El-Sayed, particularly among voters who supported her during the Democratic primary.

However, it does not automatically mean those voters will switch to Rogers.

A New York Times/Siena College poll reported in Reuters’ November 2 coverage showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by 53% to 42%, suggesting that the Democratic nominee still had a significant advantage in that survey.

The final result will depend on turnout, voter preferences and whether the endorsement changes the behavior of undecided voters.

Read Reuters’ latest report on the Michigan Senate race.

A Major Test for Michigan Democrats

The controversy highlights the political divisions that can emerge within a party during a closely contested election.

The disagreement over Israel, campaign advertising and political messaging has become a major distraction during the final days of Michigan’s Senate campaign.

For Republicans, Stevens’ endorsement represents an unexpected opportunity to gain support from a prominent Democratic politician.

For Democrats, the challenge is to maintain voter unity and prevent internal disagreements from damaging their chances of winning the Senate seat.

With Election Day approaching, Michigan has become one of the most closely watched political battlegrounds in the country.

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, ABC News, The Washington Post and Roll Call.

This article reflects reporting available through November 2, 2026. Haley Stevens has endorsed Mike Rogers but remains a Democrat. The endorsement does not represent an official change of party affiliation.