Stevens Endorses Republican Rogers After Democratic Party Expulsion

Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday, a move that led to her immediate expulsion from the Michigan Democratic Party. The endorsement comes as the November 3 midterm elections begin, placing the Democratic House member in direct opposition to her own party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed.

Stevens described her decision as a matter of conscience in a post published late Monday. She cited discomfort with political ads associated with El-Sayed and her treatment by his campaign since losing the primary in August. Stevens stated that after it became clear in late October that she was unwelcome at campaign events, she began to question El-Sayed’s motives.

She asked, “If a candidate cannot make room for people who supported his primary opponent, how will he represent an entire state filled with people who disagree with him?” Stevens also dismissed speculation that her fiancé, Jason Turkish, influenced her choice. Turkish, a Jewish megadonor, had previously announced he would vote for Rogers. Stevens called the theory “sexism dressed up as political analysis” and affirmed her independence.

The Michigan Democratic Party Chair, Curtis Hertel, confirmed the expulsion approximately one hour after Stevens announced her switch. He stated that Stevens “is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future.” Stevens said party leaders rushed to condemn her and push her out, arguing that loyalty should not require abandoning personal judgment.

In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Sunday, Stevens said El-Sayed had grown “angrier and angrier” during his campaign, though she did not provide specific examples. She did reference an ad by an independent PAC supporting El-Sayed that blamed rising grocery prices on US aid to Israel. The El-Sayed campaign said in a statement that it was not affiliated with that group.

Stevens expressed hope that Rogers would serve in the tradition of John McCain, prioritizing country over party. She noted that until Sunday, she intended to vote for the Democratic ticket. She encouraged the party to welcome her coalition to the polls despite the cross-aisle endorsement.