Haley Stevens, a Democratic Congresswoman, has publicly distanced herself from the campaign of the candidate who defeated her in the primary election, announcing her support for Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race. This surprising turn of events was reported by the New York Times.
Stevens, who serves in the House of Representatives, lost the primary election in August to Abdul El-Sayed, who is now the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.
On Sunday, Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at a church service in Detroit, held at Perfecting Church, an African American congregation. In a video shared on social media, she stated, “Hey, Michigan! You might have seen that our Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, Abdul, said I am no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away.” She continued, “And he’s right, which is why I’m supporting Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate today. I have no place in Abdul’s campaign.”
Stevens had previously criticized El-Sayed, asserting in a statement, “Abdul promises to eliminate money from politics. He can start by taking Israel out of his explanations about everything Michigan cannot afford.” This remark was reported by ABC News.
Democratic Backlash
Her decision has sparked outrage within the Democratic Party. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, condemned her actions as an “abject betrayal.” In contrast, El-Sayed told reporters that “none of this matters.”
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump praised Stevens for her bravery. Several members of Stevens’ campaign team have resigned, and the Michigan Democratic Party chair announced that Stevens, who is not seeking re-election in Michigan’s 11th congressional district, “is not currently a member of the Michigan Democratic Party and will not be in the future.”
Polls indicate that Democrats are favored in the race for the House, where Republicans currently hold a slim majority of 218 to 214. In the Senate, where Republicans have a majority of 53 to 47, the races appear closer, according to Reuters.
