Michigan Democratic Rift Spills Into Open as Lawmakers Take Sides Ahead of Midterms

UPDATE - follow-up to Live updates: Midterm candidates make final push in campaign's last days: Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday, creating a major public rift within the party just two days before the November 2026 midterm elections. Stevens announced her support for Rogers after appearing with him at a Detroit church, stating that she made the move because of hate and because she cited issues with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the endorsement as a despicable betrayal in a post on X, adding that Senate Democrats remain united behind El-Sayed. President Trump praised Stevens on Truth Social for her decision, noting that her following is huge. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called on lawmakers to lead by example and bring back kindness to face escalating campaign rhetoric, highlighting threats and a 2025 arson attack on his own residence. In Alaska, a federal judge threw out a Trump administration lawsuit that sought to block the state's Senate election results if Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason ruled that the Justice Department lacked proper legal standing to bring the suit, which had alleged that another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot was meant to confuse voters.

Context

Midterm elections determine control of the United States Congress halfway through a presidential term, and key state races often draw national party leaders and heavy spending. Intra-party disagreements during the final days of a campaign can shift voter momentum and reshape the expected outcome of closely watched Senate contests.