President Donald Trump invited Democratic Michigan Representative Haley Stevens to join the Republican Party Sunday, after she switched her United States Senate endorsement to GOP candidate Mike Rogers instead of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Speaking to his supporters at a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, Trump referred to Stevens' decision as brave, after she announced the switch earlier in the day alongside Rogers at a church in Detroit. "She was very brave in doing it," Trump said.
"So I don't know Haley, I've never met Haley, but Haley said what few people are willing to say, I think it probably I'd love her to join the Republican Party. Actually, I think that could happen. "But she showed great and almost unprecedented loyalty to the great people of Michigan, and that's another important election for us," Trump continued.
Stevens' decision drew criticism from senior Democratic Party members, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called the move a "despicable betrayal," in a post on X. Stevens, who had originally backed El-Sayed after losing to him in the Democratic Party primary, had recently been dropped from a planned appearance with him as an escalating dispute over Israel spilled into the campaign's closing stretch. The two Democrats have disagreed over Israel and its war in Gaza, with Stevens being one of the more pro-Israel members of the party, while El-Sayed is a sharp critic of Israel's government.
Stevens represents a Detroit district with a significant Jewish population. El-Sayed has rejected accusations that his criticism of Israel is antisemitic, saying his “commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own kids.” On Friday, Stevens directly criticized El-Sayed’s stance, writing in a statement: "Abdul promises to get money out of politics. He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford." El-Sayed pushed back, accusing Stevens of "relitigating a primary that ended three months ago." The dispute took a turn when Stevens' fiancé, Jason Turkish, announced he would support Rogers, citing concerns over El-Sayed’s rhetoric and foreign policy positions.
Stevens was originally scheduled to appear alongside El-Sayed and Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, but Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan told The she asked Stevens not to attend because the feud had become "way too distracting." Hours later, Stevens joined Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit to deliver her endorsement of the Republican. This is a breaking news story.
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