Democratic candidate's MAGA endorsement sparks chaos
The gist
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, spurning nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
The switch splits Michigan Democrats days before the election.
How it unfolded
- Aug 2026El-Sayed defeated Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary by about 1 percent of the vote; Stevens endorsed him shortly after.
- Oct 26, 2026Stevens told Politico's Playbook she was left out of an Ocasio-Cortez campaign appearance in Pontiac, Michigan, within her own district, saying "It's starting to feel like AOC comes in and it's exclusive."
- Oct 28, 2026Stevens' fiancé, attorney Jason Turkish, said publicly he would support Rogers and accused El-Sayed of failing to adequately address antisemitism. Ocasio-Cortez called Stevens and spent 25 minutes persuading her to stay loyal; Stevens thanked her and said she believed she had made the right decision.