Stevens backs Rogers as split with El‑Sayed widens

Rep. Haley Stevens announced Sunday that she is backing Senate candidate Mike Rogers, after Democratic rival Abdul El‑Sayed told her she is no longer welcome in his campaign. Stevens, who lost to El‑Sayed by a narrow margin in the August Democratic primary, appeared with Rogers at a Detroit church to make the endorsement. She had previously been backed by the Senate Democrats' campaign arm and had said she supported the Democratic ticket, but she urged El‑Sayed last week to denounce a controversial ad that tied U.S. military aid to Israel with rising grocery costs, calling the spot antisemitic. El‑Sayed replied that Stevens was reopening a primary that ended three months earlier, while noting the ad was not his creation and that he disagreed with its message. Rogers thanked Stevens on Friday, saying she showed courage and class despite not winning the primary. He highlighted her concern for Michigan Jewish voters. In the final days before the Tuesday election, El‑Sayed asked Stevens to stay away from remaining campaign events, and cancelled a planned unity gathering that would have included Rep. Jim Clyburn. Stevens' fiancé, Jason Turkish, publicly said he will vote for Rogers. ## Context The endorsement reflects a growing split within Michigan Democrats as the race heads into its last week, and shows how personal disputes can reshape alliances ahead of a closely watched Senate contest.