After Stevens backs Rogers, Trump invites Michigan Democrat to join Republican Party
Stevens backs Rogers
Stevens appeared with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday and endorsed him in Michigan’s closely watched race. Her decision came two days before the election and drew criticism from fellow Democrats.
In a video posted to X, Stevens said she did not belong in El-Sayed’s campaign. She argued that the campaign’s message did not reflect Michiganders, citing an advert from an outside liberal group that connected US support for Israel with high prices.
Dispute with El-Sayed
Stevens urged El-Sayed to denounce the advert. He criticised it and said he had no role in its content. Speaking to reporters beside Rogers, Stevens said El-Sayed had made clear he did not want her in his campaign.
El-Sayed responded on Sunday, saying he did not think about Stevens and that the dispute did not matter. He defeated Stevens in the Democratic primary after a bruising campaign earlier this year.
A high-stakes Senate race
Analysts consider the Michigan contest one of the tightest in Tuesday’s midterm elections. It is among a handful of battleground races that will determine which party controls the Senate.
Rogers welcomed Stevens’s endorsement and described it as courageous during brief remarks with reporters. Trump said he had never met Stevens but praised her willingness to speak out, adding that he would like her to join the Republican Party.
Democrats react to move
Democrats condemned Stevens’s break with the party, with one calling it a despicable betrayal. Curtis Hertel said Stevens and others were attempting to divide the party and weaken its momentum.
Several Democrats in downtown Detroit told the BBC they were disappointed. Voter Matthew Barera suggested Stevens might have been frustrated with the party, while Rogers supporter Marissa Lee said she did not expect Stevens’s actions to change anyone’s mind.
Key points
- Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers two days before Michigan’s election.
- Stevens objected to an advert linking US support for Israel with high prices; El-Sayed said he had no part in it.
- Trump said he would like Stevens to join the Republican Party.
- The close Michigan race could help determine control of the Senate.