Michigan Democrat backs GOP rival after primary loss

Haley Stevens, a Michigan Democrat, has endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The move occurred after she lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed. Party members are reacting with anger to the sudden switch in allegiance.

The conflict began with a dispute over an outside group's campaign advertisement. The ad blamed high living costs in the United States on support for Israel. Stevens told the El-Sayed campaign she would attend an event if he denounced the ad. The campaign disinvited her. Stevens then announced her support for Rogers.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader from New York, called the endorsement a despicable betrayal. He said Senate Democrats are united behind El-Sayed. Schumer argued El-Sayed will fight for the economic interests of working families in Michigan. He described Rogers as a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors.

Nancy Pelosi, a representative from California, posted that Stevens betrayed Michigan families' healthcare, freedoms, and future. Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, said working class lives are on the ballot this Tuesday. He stated that Stevens betrayed voters by endorsing the Republican she previously ran against.

Curtis Hertel, the chair of the Michigan Democratic party, said Stevens is no longer a member of the party. He added that she will not be a member in the future. In a video shared by Detroit journalist Sam Robinson, Hertel said the endorsement was the antithesis of Stevens' career. He attributed the decision to sour grapes from the election.

Debbie Dingell, a Democratic representative from Michigan, said residents are focused on cost of living, healthcare, and housing. She said voters are not talking about Stevens' efforts to get attention. Two other Democratic nominees, Brad Lander and Daniel Bliss, issued a statement Sunday urging voters to support El-Sayed. They did not mention Stevens in the text.

Donald Trump praised Stevens on his Truth Social platform. He called her a highly respected Democrat. At a campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, Trump welcomed Stevens to the Republican party. He said she showed great and almost unprecedented loyalty to the people of Michigan.