Two days before Election Day, Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Republican Rogers in Michigan Senate race

Stevens breaks with Democrats

Stevens appeared with Rogers on Sunday, then said in a video posted to X that she did not belong in El-Sayed’s campaign. She argued that the party’s nominee did not represent Michiganders and called on him to denounce an advert from an outside liberal group.

The advert connected US support for Israel with high prices. El-Sayed criticised its message and said he had no role in its contents. He had defeated Stevens earlier in the year to win the Democratic Senate nomination after a bruising campaign.

Reactions to the endorsement

The endorsement drew condemnation from fellow Democrats, including one who called it a “despicable betrayal.” Curtis Hertel said Stevens and others were trying to divide the party and weaken its momentum. Rogers welcomed her support and described it as “courage.” Trump said he would like Stevens to join the Republican Party, though he said he had never met her. El-Sayed said he was not concerned about Stevens’ actions.

A pivotal Senate contest

Analysts consider Michigan’s Senate race among the tightest contests in Tuesday’s midterm elections. The result is one of several battleground outcomes that could determine which party controls the Senate.

Democrats currently hold the Michigan seat and need a net gain of four seats to regain control. If they lose the state, they will need to flip five seats instead.

Voters express mixed views

Democrats who spoke to the BBC in downtown Detroit said they were disappointed by Stevens’ endorsement. Voter Matthew Barera suggested she might have been frustrated with her party.

Rogers supporter Marissa Lee said Stevens’ actions would not persuade others to change their minds. El-Sayed, a former public health official and son of Egyptian immigrants, has drawn support by focusing on frustration with Washington politics and US ties to Israel.