A Democratic congresswoman in Michigan has endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers over her party's nominee Abdul El-Sayed, triggering a political storm within the party just before the US midterm elections.
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congresswoman → endorse → elections
Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the Democratic Senate primary in August, announced her support for Rogers on Sunday after appearing alongside him at a church service in Detroit.
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who → lose → Detroit
Her endorsement came amid a rising bitter public feud with El-Sayed, who had reportedly asked her to stay away from a planned joint campaign appearance.
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who → come → appearance
"Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away," Stevens said in a video announcing her decision.
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Stevens → say → decision
And that's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."
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I → endorse → Senate
The move drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it a "despicable betrayal".
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Schumer → draw → it
Michigan Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel accused Stevens of abandoning the values she claimed to support.
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she → accuse → values
El-Sayed, however, sought to play down the development, telling reporters that he was focused on issues affecting voters, including the rising cost of living.
"At the end of the day I actually don't think about Haley Stevens," he said, adding that "none of this matters".
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none → seek → this
What led to Stevens' break with El-Sayed?The rift between the two Democrats has deepened since the August primary, reflecting wider divisions within the party over its political direction and US support for Israel.
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rift → deepen → Israel
Stevens, a centrist Democrat and strong supporter of Israel, had called on El-Sayed to condemn an advertisement by an independent left-wing group linking US support for Israel to high grocery prices.
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Stevens → call → prices
El-Sayed criticised the advertisement and said it was not produced by his campaign.
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it → criticise → campaign
In a statement on Friday, Stevens said El-Sayed should stop blaming Israel for economic problems facing Michigan residents.
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Sayed → say → residents
"Abdul promises to get money out of politics," she wrote.
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she → promise → politics
"He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford."
El-Sayed responded by accusing Stevens of trying to reopen a primary contest that had ended months earlier.
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that → begin → contest
He also said he did not agree with the advertisement.
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he → say → advertisement
The two were originally expected to appear together at a church event on Sunday alongside other Democratic leaders in an effort to demonstrate party unity before Election Day.
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two → expect → Day
However, the planned joint appearance was called off, with Stevens instead attending a service with Rogers.
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Stevens → plan → Rogers
Democrats react as Trump praises endorsementStevens' decision also triggered turmoil within her own office.
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decision → react → office
Her longtime chief of staff resigned following the announcement, while other staff members were expected to leave, according to a person familiar with the developments.
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members → resign → developments
"We are shocked and heartbroken," an aide said in a statement.
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aide → shock → statement
Hertel said the endorsement showed that Stevens had "abandoned everything she claims to care about", while Schumer publicly condemned her decision to support the Republican candidate.
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Schumer → say → candidate
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, praised Stevens, describing her move as an act of bravery and highlighting her support among Black and Jewish voters in Michigan.
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Trump → praise → Michigan
Speaking at a campaign rally in Iowa, House Speaker Mike Johnson also said he had spoken to Stevens after the endorsement and encouraged her to keep speaking out.
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he → speak → her
Rogers welcomed the congresswoman's backing, saying he was honoured by her support.
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he → welcome → support
Why the Michigan Senate race mattersThe contest between El-Sayed and Rogers is among the closely watched Senate races in Tuesday's midterm elections.
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contest → watch → elections
The seat is currently held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, and Republicans have not won it since 1994.
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Republicans → hold → 1994
Michigan is a key battleground state, having backed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election before voting for Trump in 2024.
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Michigan → back → 2024
For Democrats, holding the seat is crucial to their efforts to regain control of the Senate.
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holding → hold → Senate
The party needs a net gain of four seats to secure a majority, making Michigan one of the most consequential contests in the election.
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Michigan → need → election
Stevens defeated El-Sayed in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, and neighbouring Oakland County during the August primary, drawing support from Black and Jewish voters.
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which → defeat → voters
The primary was marked by bitter exchanges and heavy outside spending, including support for Stevens from a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
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primary → mark → Committee
Early voting in Michigan began on October 24, with more than 1.8 million people having cast ballots by Friday.
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people → begin → Friday
The Aporia
