Stevens endorses Republican Rogers in Michigan Senate race

Background Earlier this month, Abdul El-Sayed disinvited Haley Stevens from his campaign events to avoid distractions amid rising tensions. As the election approached, reports highlighted alarm among Michigan Muslims following targeted attacks against El-Sayed, while general polling showed Democrats leading in the midterms before President Trump canceled two scheduled rallies.

What happened On November 1, 2026, Democratic U.S. Representative Haley Stevens stunned the political landscape by endorsing her Republican rival, Mike Rogers, for the Michigan Senate seat, spurning the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, whom she defeated in the primary earlier this year. The endorsement came just days before the crucial midterm elections, amid a bitter feud primarily centered on U.S. support for Israel.

Key moments in order * **August 2026:** Stevens loses the Michigan Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed but initially supports his general election campaign. * **Late October 2026:** Tensions escalate between the former primary rivals over U.S. support for Israel and comments made by political commentator Hasan Piker, who has campaigned with El-Sayed. El-Sayed's campaign asks Stevens to stay away from campaign events to avoid distractions. * **November 1, 2026:** Stevens attends a service at the Perfecting Church in Detroit with Republican candidate Mike Rogers and posts an endorsement video on X, stating she does not stand with Hasan Piker and is endorsing Rogers. Multiple staff members, including her chief of staff, resign in protest. * **November 1, 2026:** Speaking at an Iowa rally, President Donald Trump praises Stevens' "bravery" and delivers racist and anti-Muslim remarks about El-Sayed, calling him a "jihadist lunatic." * **November 2, 2026:** Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer calls Stevens' endorsement a "despicable betrayal" and vows unity behind El-Sayed, while the Michigan Democratic Party chair states she does not speak for the larger community. El-Sayed dismisses the attacks, focusing on kitchen-table issues like the cost of living.

What we know now With one day remaining before the November 3 midterm elections, the Michigan Senate race is in a state of high flux. Stevens' defection has triggered a sharp backlash from her party, but it remains unclear whether her endorsement will pull moderate voters toward Rogers or simply depress Democratic turnout. El-Sayed has largely consolidated Democratic support, while national party leaders have rushed to his defense against what they view as Islamophobic attacks.

What happens next Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide the fate of the Michigan Senate seat and which party will control Congress for the remainder of President Trump's term. The outcome of this race is widely seen as pivotal to the slim Senate majority.

Sources: The Guardian, NPR, CNBC, Al Jazeera