Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens publicly endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate on Sunday after attending church with him in Detroit, a last-minute rupture that sent her own staff resigning.
In a video posted to social media, Stevens said her party’s nominee, progressive Abdul El-Sayed, had told her she was no longer welcome.
“Hey Michigan, as you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away. And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today. I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign.”
She specifically rejected the nominee’s orbit, including left-wing commentator Hasan Piker.
“I do not stand with Hasan Piker, who gets trafficked on our college campuses. A dear friend of mine earlier today was saying that education is on the ballot. And she’s absolutely right. And what our students see, what our children see, and who we are as Michiganders is not hate, and is not what we are getting out from our Democratic nominee right now.”
Stevens framed the endorsement as a defense of Michigan’s character while still calling herself a Democrat.
“So I am just one person. I love this state. As some of you know, I’ve run a campaign saying that it was a love letter to Michigan, and I’m here to declare who we are as Michiganders. This is Phil Hart’s seat for the U.S. Senate. This is the conscience of the Senate right now, and our Michigan moment. And I’m just letting you know where I am. I’m still a very proud Democrat. I still very much believe in everything I voted for and said, and I’ve worked really hard, and will continue to do so in all the ways life’s opportunities afford. Godspeed, and love you all so much.”
The endorsement followed a public feud with El-Sayed over Israel policy and an outside ad Stevens described as antisemitic. Her congressional staff, including her chief of staff, resigned in the immediate aftermath. The race is viewed as pivotal for control of the Senate.
Post a Comment