The Michigan Senate race hit a crescendo on Sunday after Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced her support for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers against fellow Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.
El-Sayed previously defeated Stevens for the Democratic nomination in the Michigan Senate primary.
Their political disagreements stem from El-Sayed’s Muslim background, while Stevens was a self-avowed Israel supporter.
Steven’s shocking endorsement came after latest polls showed that El-Sayed and Rogers are neck-and-neck in the Senate race in Michigan.
Stevens switches support
With the election just days away, local Democrats announced Stevens’ expulsion from the party.
In a post on X, Michigan Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel said that Stevens, who once flipped her congressional seat from the Republicans, is no longer a member of the party.
“Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future,” he said in the post.
According to Yahoo News, Stevens’ staff have also resigned in protest of her decision to back Rogers.
In a separate interview with local reporters, Hertel called the stunt an “abomination.”
“Either Haley Stevens is not who she said she would be, or there’s something very wrong with her right now,” he said. “A proud Democrat”
Though reports say that her name has been removed from the Michigan Democratic Party website, Stevens maintained that she remains a “proud Democrat.”
Social media video
In a video posted on social media, Rogers and Stevens appeared together outside a church in Detroit, where they addressed the media about her reversal of support.
Steven claimed that she was not welcomed in El-Sayed’s campaign despite initially announcing her support to her one-time rival.
“I’ve never been invited to a campaign event – that’s fine, you know, he’s busy, he’s running all around. I’ve had primaries myself. It’s not about that,” Stevens said.
She stated that her support for Rogers is more about leadership and integrity.
Trump woos Stevens
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump was elated over Stevens breaking ranks from her party.
He also hinted at his interest in recruiting the former Democrat to the GOP.
“I don’t know Haley, I’ve never met Haley,” said Trump at a rally in Iowa on Sunday.
“But Haley said what few people are willing to say. I think I’d probably – I’d love her to join the Republican Party actually,” the president told the reporters.
While Trump applauded Stevens, her move met a slew of condemnation from several Democrats.
On social media, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Michigan voters to unite for El-Sayed, calling Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers a “despicable betrayal.”
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