Stevens switches to Rogers

Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, November first, less than forty-eight hours before Election Day, abandoning her endorsement of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.

Democrats furious at reversal

The dramatic switch stunned Stevens' allies and friends in Michigan and on Capitol Hill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called her actions a despicable betrayal.

“despicable betrayal”

Stevens' stated reason

Stevens said El-Sayed made clear she was not welcome in his campaign. She told reporters he chose to close the campaign by saying she was not welcome.

“Abdul made very clear that I was not welcome in his campaign, that he didn't need me there, that he didn't want me there.”

Primary divided over Israel

The August primary exposed fractures between Stevens and El-Sayed over Israel. El-Sayed is a vocal critic; Stevens is a staunch defender of Israeli policy.

El-Sayed won by narrow margin

El-Sayed defeated Stevens by about one percent of the vote in August. Some voters who backed Stevens remained hesitant about El-Sayed after the primary.

Concerns about El-Sayed's rhetoric

Stevens raised concerns about statements El-Sayed and supporters like streamer Hasan Piker made. After Piker implied Jews' support for Israel puts them at personal risk, El-Sayed did not disavow him.

Tensions escalate in final days

On Wednesday, Stevens' fiancé Jason Turkish said he planned to vote for Rogers. Rep. Debbie Dingell tried to organize a joint appearance between Stevens and El-Sayed for Sunday.

Stevens sets conditions Friday

Stevens said she would attend only if El-Sayed rejected a digital ad blaming U.S. aid to Israel for high grocery prices and apologized for inflammatory rhetoric.

El-Sayed responds to demands

El-Sayed said Stevens seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago. He said he had nothing to do with the ad and did not agree with its content.

“seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago”

Stevens assures Democrats Saturday

Through Saturday night, Stevens told Democrats including Dingell and Rep. Jamie Raskin that she would not rescind her endorsement of El-Sayed. Many remained unsure if she would attend Sunday.

Stevens appears with Rogers instead

On Sunday morning, Stevens attended Perfecting Church in Detroit with Rogers, roughly six miles from where El-Sayed held his event with Rep. Jim Clyburn and other Black leaders.

Swift fallout across party

Stevens' chief of staff for eight years, Justin German, resigned Sunday morning saying he was shocked and heartbroken. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said Stevens was no longer a member.

Fault lines exposed in party

The turmoil has re-exposed divisions within Michigan Democrats over Israel and the party's identity. These questions will likely continue as Democrats prepare to choose a presidential nominee in twenty twenty-eight.