Stevens' endorsement of Rogers triggers $1.2 million in El-Sayed fundraising

Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday morning, a move that triggered a rapid response from Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign. Within hours of the announcement, El-Sayed raised $1.2 million, marking his second-largest single-day total since winning the primary.

Stevens appeared with Rogers outside a Black church in Detroit. She stated that El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. She argued that Democrats must stand with the country and not with hate, specifically naming Hasan Piker, the live-streamer who campaigned with El-Sayed.

The decision came after weeks of tension. Stevens had previously praised El-Sayed for distancing himself from a controversial ad that blamed high costs of living in Michigan on U.S. aid to Israel. As recently as midnight Saturday, she told a key ally she was sticking with El-Sayed. By Sunday, however, her congressional staffers learned of the switch via social media and promptly quit, according to her chief of staff.

Democratic leaders quickly rallied behind El-Sayed. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called Stevens’ move a despicable betrayal. He stated that El-Sayed would fight for working families, while Rogers serves as a tool for Donald Trump and billionaire donors. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Stevens had dangerously betrayed Michigan families by backing Rogers.

The rift stems from the August primary, which El-Sayed won by less than a percentage point. Stevens had been backed by tens of millions of dollars from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. El-Sayed, a Muslim candidate, criticized AIPAC’s influence and advocated for ending foreign aid to Israel’s military. He also campaigned with Piker, whose past comments about Jewish residents drew criticism.

Negotiations for a joint appearance on Sunday fell apart when El-Sayed’s campaign asked Stevens to skip closing events. Rep. Debbie Dingell said she delivered that message to Stevens. Despite the friction, El-Sayed proceeded with his event. He said he was less interested in the politics of the feud than in policy, focusing on the millions of voters not involved in the endorsement dispute.

Internal Democratic officials blamed both sides. One longtime operative noted that El-Sayed acted as if he had won a landslide victory, which he did not. Stevens’ mother, Maria Marcotte, rejected claims that her daughter’s fiancé, Jason Turkish, influenced the decision. She stated that Stevens is her own woman and that Marcotte herself had voted for Rogers.

CNN’s most recent poll before the endorsement showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by seven points. That poll recorded 95% support from Democratic likely voters. The race now hinges on whether Stevens’ endorsement will change votes or serve as a rallying cry for the broader Democratic coalition in the final days before the election.