House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday that Rep. Haley Stevens “made a terrible decision” by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, and signaled she could face consequences after Tuesday’s election.
“Haley Stevens made a terrible decision, blindsided everyone and isolated herself from the House Democratic caucus,” Jeffries said. He said Democrats would discuss next steps once the vote is over.
Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, switched her support to Rogers on Sunday, two days before Election Day.
In a video posted on X, she said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. “And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today,” she said.
She also criticized El-Sayed’s ties to online streamer Hasan Piker. “We can’t stand with hate,” she said. Stevens said she remains a Democrat and will vote for her party in most other races.
A fight over Israel
The split grew out of a dispute over Israel. Last week, Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn an ad from Rebellion PAC, an outside group backing him, that linked U.S. military aid to Israel with rising grocery prices. She called the ad antisemitic.
El-Sayed said his campaign did not make the ad and that he disagreed with its message. He accused Stevens of trying to relitigate a primary that ended three months ago.
Stevens was then dropped from a Democratic unity event planned for Sunday at a Detroit church. Rep. Debbie Dingell, who organized it, said the event had become “way too distracting.” Stevens instead appeared at the church with Rogers.
Reaction from both parties
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the endorsement a “despicable betrayal.” Justin German, Stevens’ chief of staff of eight years, said he and other aides resigned.
President Donald Trump praised the move on Truth Social. “It’s a thing called bravery,” he wrote.
Rogers had praised Stevens on X two days earlier, calling her “a courageous leader who deserves the respect of every Michigan voter.”
Michigan voters choose between Rogers and El-Sayed on Tuesday for the open Senate seat. Most polls in the state close at 8 p.m. ET.