Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed dismissed a late endorsement of his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, by Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens on Sunday. El-Sayed stated he was focused on Michigan voters rather than the actions of his former primary rival, while Stevens said she shifted her support after being told she was no longer welcome at El-Sayed's campaign events.
The endorsement followed a period of tension between the two Democrats after El-Sayed defeated Stevens by a narrow margin in the August primary. The friction escalated recently over El-Sayed’s campaign appearances with streamer Hasan Piker and an advertisement from an independent group that Stevens characterized as antisemitic for linking U.S. aid to Israel with high grocery prices. El-Sayed stated he did not agree with the ad’s contents and noted his campaign did not produce it.
On Sunday, November 1, Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at a church service in Detroit, formally announcing her endorsement in a video. Meanwhile, El-Sayed held a separate event with Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), who had attempted to organize a unity event for the two Democrats, said she ultimately canceled the joint appearance because the dispute had become too distracting. Following the endorsement, several members of Stevens' staff, including her chief of staff, resigned.
The development specifically impacts the Democratic coalition in Wayne and Oakland counties, areas where Stevens previously defeated El-Sayed during the primary. Voters in these districts, including significant Black and Jewish populations, will see a split in leadership endorsements as they head to the polls. While early voting in Michigan began on October 24, the late-stage departure of a sitting Democratic representative to support a Republican candidate creates a new precedent for party alignment in the final 48 hours of the contest.
National Democratic leaders, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), have reaffirmed their support for El-Sayed despite the endorsement. The immediate outcome will be determined on Tuesday, November 3, when final ballots are cast and the impact on turnout in Detroit and its suburbs is measured. As of Sunday evening, no further legal or procedural challenges to the endorsement had been reported, and the candidates are proceeding with final campaign stops scheduled through Monday night.