‘Despicable betrayal’: Top Democrat slams Haley Stevens for backing Republican candidate over El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race

Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate El-Sayed.

A Democratic congresswoman in Michigan has endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers over her party’s nominee Abdul El-Sayed, triggering a political storm within the party just before the US midterm elections.Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the Democratic Senate primary in August, announced her support for Rogers on Sunday after appearing alongside him at a church service in Detroit. Her endorsement came amid a rising bitter public feud with El-Sayed, who had reportedly asked her to stay away from a planned joint campaign appearance.“Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away,” Stevens said in a video announcing her decision. “And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today.”The move drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it a “despicable betrayal”. Michigan Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel accused Stevens of abandoning the values she claimed to support.El-Sayed, however, sought to play down the development, telling reporters that he was focused on issues affecting voters, including the rising cost of living.“At the end of the day I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens,” he said, adding that “none of this matters”.What led to Stevens’ break with El-Sayed?The rift between the two Democrats has deepened since the August primary, reflecting wider divisions within the party over its political direction and US support for Israel.Stevens, a centrist Democrat and strong supporter of Israel, had called on El-Sayed to condemn an advertisement by an independent left-wing group linking US support for Israel to high grocery prices. El-Sayed criticised the advertisement and said it was not produced by his campaign.In a statement on Friday, Stevens said El-Sayed should stop blaming Israel for economic problems facing Michigan residents.“Abdul promises to get money out of politics,” she wrote. “He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford.”El-Sayed responded by accusing Stevens of trying to reopen a primary contest that had ended months earlier. He also said he did not agree with the advertisement.The two were originally expected to appear together at a church event on Sunday alongside other Democratic leaders in an effort to demonstrate party unity before Election Day. However, the planned joint appearance was called off, with Stevens instead attending a service with Rogers.Democrats react as Trump praises endorsementStevens’ decision also triggered turmoil within her own office. Her longtime chief of staff resigned following the announcement, while other staff members were expected to leave, according to a person familiar with the developments.“We are shocked and heartbroken,” an aide said in a statement.Hertel said the endorsement showed that Stevens had “abandoned everything she claims to care about”, while Schumer publicly condemned her decision to support the Republican candidate.President Donald Trump, meanwhile, praised Stevens, describing her move as an act of bravery and highlighting her support among Black and Jewish voters in Michigan.Speaking at a campaign rally in Iowa, House Speaker Mike Johnson also said he had spoken to Stevens after the endorsement and encouraged her to keep speaking out.Rogers welcomed the congresswoman’s backing, saying he was honoured by her support.Why the Michigan Senate race mattersThe contest between El-Sayed and Rogers is among the closely watched Senate races in Tuesday’s midterm elections. The seat is currently held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, and Republicans have not won it since 1994.Michigan is a key battleground state, having backed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election before voting for Trump in 2024.For Democrats, holding the seat is crucial to their efforts to regain control of the Senate. The party needs a net gain of four seats to secure a majority, making Michigan one of the most consequential contests in the election.Stevens defeated El-Sayed in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, and neighbouring Oakland County during the August primary, drawing support from Black and Jewish voters. The primary was marked by bitter exchanges and heavy outside spending, including support for Stevens from a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.Early voting in Michigan began on October 24, with more than 1.8 million people having cast ballots by Friday.