# Haley Stevens Defects in Michigan Senate Race

> Haley Stevens switches Democratic support to Republican Mike Rogers after primary loss.
- Title: Haley Stevens Defects in Michigan Senate Race · Slate Magazine
- Summary: Haley Stevens switches Democratic support to Republican Mike Rogers after primary loss. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race…
- Keywords: haley stevens, mike rogers, abdur el-sayed, michigan senate, democrats, michigan primary, united states, senate election, michigan politics, democratic party, michigan governor, michigan house
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/11/michigan-senate-haley-stevens-endorsement-mike-rogers-abdul-el-sayed.html?via=rss
- Author: Ian Prasad Philbrick
- Published: 2026-11-02T13:06:20.97+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: haley stevens, mike rogers, abdur el-sayed, michigan senate, democrats, michigan primary, united states, senate election, michigan politics, democratic party, michigan governor, michigan house
## Michigan Senate Race Crisis
Haley Stevens, a pro-Israel centrist Democrat, pulled a heel turn after losing primary to progressive Abdul El-Sayed.

> Haley Stevens pulled a heel turn for the ages
## Stevens Endorses Republican Opponent
Stevens endorsed Mike Rogers, Republican opponent of Abdul El-Sayed, completing her political betrayal.

> She went to church with el-sayed’s republican opponent
## Primary Race Context
Michigan Senate race critical for Democrats to retake Senate and counter Trump’s agenda.

> a candidate who got almost half of the primary vote is supporting the republican
## Blame Distribution
Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed both share responsibility for the political fallout.

> the blame doesn’t rest with her alone
## Stevens’ Motivation
Stevens criticized pro-El-Sayed ad claiming U.S. sends weapons to Israel but endorsed Rogers instead.

> the ad argued that groceries have become unaffordable because the us sends weapons to israel
## El-Sayed’s Role
El-Sayed campaigned with controversial figure Hasan Piker who claimed U.S. deserved 9/11.

> hasan piker said the us deserved 9/11
## El-Sayed’s Defensiveness
El-Sayed accused Stevens of relitigating their primary while distancing himself from criticism.

> el-sayed accused stevens of relitigating their primary
## Political Consequences
El-Sayed’s endorsement of Rogers could cost his party’s chances in Michigan Senate race.

> this race could cost his entire party
## Primary Dynamics
Michigan primary saw intense competition between progressive and centrist Democrats.

> a pro-israel centrist who narrowly lost the democratic primary to progressive abdul el-sayed
## Stevens’ Reasoning
Stevens claimed her flip-flop was a personal decision amid political tensions.

> stevens characterized her flip-flop as a personal and private decision
## El-Sayed’s Campaign
El-Sayed struggled to win over moderate Democrats and Black Michiganders in primary race.

> el-sayed has struggled to convince some core democratic constituencies including black michigan
## Political Fallout
Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers threatens Democratic unity in Michigan Senate race.

> stevens’ desertion isn’t a great sign that the party’s more centrist losers are willing to return the favor
## Rogers’ Position
Mike Rogers, Republican opponent, criticized El-Sayed for pro-Islamic views.

> rogers has accused el-sayed of adhering to a radical islamic agenda
## Stevens’ Past Support
Stevens previously supported AIPAC, pro-Israel lobbying group.

> stevens supported aipac the pro-israel lobbying group
## Next Steps
Michigan Senate race could shift Democratic chances in national election.

> this race is about the people in the state of michigan
## Key takeaway

Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race after losing Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed.