Democratic Stevens Endorses Rogers Over El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Election Shake-Up

A surprise endorsement

Stevens announced her support for Rogers in a video after appearing with him at Perfecting Church in Detroit. She said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and should stay away.

The endorsement came shortly after Stevens had reaffirmed that she planned to vote for El-Sayed, her former opponent in the Democratic primary. The article reports both positions, with the Sunday endorsement marking her later public stance.

Church appearances diverge

Stevens had initially been expected to attend a church event with El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. The plan fell apart amid a dispute involving Israel and an outside group’s advertisement.

A pivotal Senate contest

El-Sayed, a former Michigan public health official, is competing with Rogers, a former congressman, for the seat held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. The election could affect control of the Senate, which Democrats hope to win for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.

The dispute adds strain as Democrats seek turnout from Black and Jewish voters, particularly in Detroit and surrounding areas. Stevens won Wayne and Oakland counties in the August primary, drawing support from both groups.

Campaign tensions spill over

Stevens’s appearance with Rogers drew swift consequences within her team. Her longtime chief of staff resigned, and a person familiar with the developments said other staff members were expected to leave.

The primary featured personal accusations and tens of millions of dollars in outside spending. An affiliated super PAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee backed Stevens, while El-Sayed objected to an outside group’s ad accusing him of disrespecting women.