In a dramatic last-minute turn in Michigan, former Democratic Senate candidate Haley Stevens publicly endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, abandoning Abdul El-Sayed just days before the midterm election.
“My mind is made up. I’m rock solid. I’m an independent woman, and I made my decision,” Stevens told CNN’s Anderson Cooper during a tense Sunday night interview, as he pressed her on the sudden reversal.
The endorsement quickly sparked turmoil within her political operation. According to CNN, most of her Capitol Hill staff resigned after learning of the switch through social media.
Former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard, a longtime friend and supporter of Stevens, had dinner with her on Friday, when she still supported El-Sayed.
Blanchard said something changed between that dinner and Stevens’ announcement Sunday. He blamed her fiancé, Jason Turkish, a Jewish Democrat.
Turkish has argued that El-Sayed’s “reckless” campaign rhetoric “puts Jews at risk,” adding that he would put “country before party.”
The prominent Jewish attorney said he would feel “less safe on this planet” if El-Sayed won. He accused the Democratic nominee of fueling antisemitic threats and failing to condemn controversial outside advertisements that linked aid to Israel to higher grocery prices.
In an interview with Gongwer News Service, a Michigan publication, Blanchard put the responsibility for Stevens’ change of heart squarely on Turkish.
Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, said Wednesday that he would vote for Republican candidate Mike Rogers
The unlikely pair addressed crowds after leaving church on Sunday
Blanchard said Turkish had endorsed Rogers the previous week and had begun trying to persuade Stevens to adopt his position.
“He was working her over,” Blanchard said of their Friday dinner. “The way he was putting it was, ‘Everyone is disappointed in you. They did everything they could to help you, and then immediately after you lose the primary, you endorsed him.’”
The former governor said he pushed back strongly during the dinner.
“Yeah, because she’s a team player,” Blanchard recalled telling Turkish. “You have to be gracious. Come on.”
But Blanchard said his argument did not appear to change Turkish’s view.
“He said, ‘I know, but they’re really disappointed in her,’” Blanchard recalled.
Blanchard said he warned Stevens that Turkish was a bad influence. She replied, “I’m fine.”
In the early hours of the morning, Blanchard said Stevens texted him: “I love you…”
Only a few hours later, she appeared at church with Rogers and publicly endorsed him.
“Something snapped in her. And it snapped in 24 hours,” Blanchard said. “And I don’t know what.”
Stevens appeared cheerful Sunday morning at Detroit’s Perfecting Church, smiling broadly as she stood and applauded alongside Rogers during the service.
The unusual scene unfolded during a Michigan midterm contest marked by infighting among Democrats
Abdul El-Sayed speaks to reporters during a “Souls to the Polls” campaign rally. He declined to answer questions about Stevens and Rogers
Which US president are YOU? Take the quiz
The midterm elections are approaching, and Americans across the country will soon cast their ballots. But which past or present US president most closely matches your political outlook?
Are you more like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? Perhaps Franklin D. Roosevelt or Donald Trump?
Take Our News Outlet’s quiz to find out.
Shortly after leaving the service, Stevens held a press conference to formally announce her support for the Republican candidate.
She said her own household had remained divided “until last night,” when she finally decided to back Rogers.
Stevens also criticized El-Sayed, saying her former Democratic ally had made it clear that he did not want her support for the rest of his campaign.
“My vote will be with Mike Rogers. Because we have to stand with country. We cannot stand for hate. Abdul was very clear when he said, ‘Don’t come,’” Stevens said.
“Everyone can look at the facts. This is about leadership and integrity,” she told supporters and reporters.
Rogers said he was grateful for the endorsement. “I am honored to have Haley Stevens’ support and her vote today. I’m candidly happy I’m not running against her.”
A protester interrupted the press conference by shouting, “Haley Stevens is a traitor!”
Turkish said Wednesday that he planned to vote for Rogers, El-Sayed’s Republican opponent.
El-Sayed, an outspoken critic of Israel, previously campaigned with Hasan Piker, who has faced widespread accusations of antisemitism. The association has raised concerns among some members of Michigan’s Jewish community.
Representative Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, endorsed Rogers on Sunday and appeared with him at a Detroit church
One controversial advertisement shows conversations in a grocery store, including a scene in which a woman says she cannot afford eggs because her money had been spent “killing Palestinians.”
El-Sayed’s campaign has said it neither produced nor endorsed the advertisement, adding that it “has always been focused on addressing the most critical challenges Michiganders are facing.”
El-Sayed told reporters Saturday that he did “not agree with the contents of that ad.”
On Sunday afternoon, he addressed crowds for the first time since Stevens’ endorsement became public.
“At the end of the day, I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens,” El-Sayed told reporters who questioned him about the decision that had stunned the political world.
“I’m in the business of trying to solve problems for the people in my state. So if you want to ask me questions about the issues people in my state are facing, I am happy to answer them,” he added.
El-Sayed entered Tuesday’s election with a polling advantage despite the last-minute break with a prominent figure from his own party.
A New York Times/Siena poll released Sunday showed him leading Rogers by 11 points, 53 percent to 42 percent. CNN’s polling average, however, indicated a narrower five-point gap.
Most recent surveys were conducted before Stevens endorsed Rogers on Sunday.
President Trump joined the Democratic backlash on Truth Social, writing: “Wow, this is BIG! Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a Highly Respected Democrat, who narrowly lost in the Primary to Abdul Mohamed El-Sayed, and who has been breathlessly wined and dined by the Dumocrats to help in their Michigan Campaign for the United States Senate against Mike Rogers, has just ENDORSED Mike Rogers for Senate!”
Trump also invited Stevens to join the Republican Party.
