From The New Yorker · Ruby Cramer · · 2m
Haley Stevens Switches Senate Endorsement
Haley Stevens publicly endorses Republican Mike Rogers despite party loyalty.
In brief
Haley Stevens publicly endorses Republican Mike Rogers despite party loyalty. Haley Stevens switched her Senate endorsement from Abdul El-Sayed to Mike Rogers, causing political turmoil in Michigan Democrats. Originally reported by The New Yorker.
Haley Stevens and Jordan Acker
Jordan Acker, a forty-two-year-old Jewish Democrat, faced hate crimes after being targeted for his support of Israeli statehood.
Haley Stevens' Political History
Haley Stevens, a forty-three-year-old congresswoman, has known Jordan Acker since high school and worked together in the Michigan Democratic Coordinated Campaign.
Election Day Tensions
Haley Stevens switched her Senate endorsement from Abdul El-Sayed to Republican Mike Rogers days before the election.
Hate Crimes Against Acker
Jordan Acker received red paint splatters and graffiti with messages 'DIVEST' and 'FUCK YOU ACKER' after his support for Israeli statehood.
Stevens' Endorsement Shift
Haley Stevens initially endorsed El-Sayed but switched to Mike Rogers after a pro-El-Sayed ad blamed U.S. support for Israel on grocery prices.
Stevens' Church Event
Haley Stevens attended a church event with Mike Rogers instead of El-Sayed and Representative Jim Clyburn.
Political Fallout
Michigan Democrats removed Haley Stevens from their list of elected officials after her endorsement switch.
Staff Resignations
Several of Haley Stevens' staff resigned publicly after her endorsement switch and comments about her fiancé.
Haley Stevens' Response
Haley Stevens claimed she was 'excited' about her 'moment of clear conscience' but admitted she was 'not involved' in the decision.
Fiancé's Role
Haley Stevens' fiancé, Jason Turkish, a disability-rights lawyer, was criticized by staff for being 'verbally abusive' to Stevens' team.
Political Consequences
Haley Stevens' endorsement switch caused confusion among Michigan Democrats and Jewish voters.
Election Day Impact
Haley Stevens appeared at polling places with her mother on Election Day while managing multiple phone calls.
Party Reaction
Michigan Democrats removed Haley Stevens from their list of elected officials as if she had died.
Public Statements
Haley Stevens told Jordan Acker she was 'not involved' in the decision but admitted she was 'excited' about her 'moment of clear conscience'.
Political Crisis
Haley Stevens' endorsement switch triggered a political crisis in Michigan Democrats and Jewish communities.
Resolution
Haley Stevens' team resigned, and she remained in touch with her friends despite the political fallout.
What it means
Haley Stevens switched her Senate endorsement from Abdul El-Sayed to Mike Rogers, causing political turmoil in Michigan Democrats.
