Haley Stevens defends endorsing Mike Rogers; Schumer calls it a betrayal
Haley Stevens reversed her support for Abdul El-Sayed and endorsed Mike Rogers. Stevens and Rogers defended the choice; Chuck Schumer, Ken Martin and other Democrats condemned it. Her earlier endorsement and later reversal are documented in the timeline.
Haley Stevens, November 1, 2026. Excerpt: 00:13.20-00:20.05.
6.85-second continuous excerpt from the 98.03-second original announcement, compressed to 480p. Original audio and captions retained.
Video: Haley Stevens / Haley for Michigan. Fair use: news reporting and criticism (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Post caption and video, 00:00-01:38; endorsement at 00:13.24-00:19.88)
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers (opens in a new tab) on November 1, 2026, reversing her August 5 endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed (opens in a new tab). El-Sayed had defeated her in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary.
Stevens cited her exclusion from El-Sayed's campaign and criticized his association with Hasan Piker and what she described as hate. She said she remained a proud Democrat. Rogers (opens in a new tab) and Donald Trump (opens in a new tab) praised her decision. Chuck Schumer (opens in a new tab) and Ken Martin (opens in a new tab) called it a betrayal.
Read the full background
On October 30, Stevens again demanded that El-Sayed condemn a Rebellion PAC ad that she called antisemitic. The ad tied U.S. aid to Israel to grocery prices. She also demanded an apology for his own remarks on Israel and costs and withdrawal of an ad featuring Tucker Carlson. El-Sayed accused her of relitigating the primary. He said his campaign did not make the outside ad and he disagreed with its contents. Roll Call (opens in a new tab).
The planned joint appearance did not take place. Stevens attributed her exclusion to El-Sayed; reports described a request from his campaign to stay away. Dingell told AP (opens in a new tab) she called off the joint appearance because it had become distracting. On November 1, Stevens attended Perfecting Church with Rogers, while El-Sayed appeared with Jim Clyburn at a different Detroit church.
Stevens had pledged support for El-Sayed on August 5 (opens in a new tab) and defended that support in an August 6 interview (opens in a new tab). The disagreement now concerns her decision to back Rogers instead.
Hertel (opens in a new tab) said Stevens was not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party and would not be one in the future.
People in this case
Haley StevensDirectly involved
Mike RogersDirectly involved
Abdul El-SayedDirectly involved
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: August 5, 2026 to November 1, 2026
August 2026
El-Sayed defeats Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary
The Associated Press calls the August 4 Michigan Democratic Senate primary for El-Sayed on August 5. He advances to face Rogers in the general election.
[01]Abdul El-Sayed wins the Michigan Democratic Senate primary
Roll Call reports the result of the August 4 primary, called on August 5.
Abdul El-Sayed wins the Michigan Democratic Senate primaryPrimary result and Stevens's support for El-Sayed[02]Haley Stevens
Stevens congratulates El-Sayed, endorses him and criticizes Rogers.
Haley Stevens concedes and endorses Abdul El-Sayed · Haley StevensCampaign statement dated August 5, 2026Stevens concedes and endorses El-Sayed against Rogers
Source release
Stevens congratulates El-Sayed on the nomination and offers him her full support against Rogers. She urges electing Democrats up and down the ballot.
[03]Haley Stevens
Stevens says she spoke with El-Sayed to offer her full support against Rogers.
Haley Stevens offers Abdul El-Sayed her support after the primary · Haley StevensPost 2085003959530377513[02]Haley Stevens
Stevens congratulates El-Sayed, endorses him and criticizes Rogers.
Haley Stevens concedes and endorses Abdul El-Sayed · Haley StevensCampaign statement dated August 5, 2026Stevens defends backing El-Sayed in a CBS interview
Source release
CBS releases an interview in which Stevens discusses supporting El-Sayed after the primary and criticizes Rogers's support for Trump.
[04]Stevens discusses backing El-Sayed after her primary loss
Stevens defends her support for El-Sayed in an interview released August 6.
Stevens discusses backing El-Sayed after her primary lossCBS News, The Takeout; complete interview, 11:11
October 2026
El-Sayed says he disagrees with the outside ad's contents
Reaction
El-Sayed says the Rebellion PAC ad was not made by his campaign and he disagrees with its contents.
[05]Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers for Senate
Roll Call reports the endorsement, the preceding dispute and the parties' responses.
Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers for SenateAccount of the preceding ad dispute, endorsement and named reactions
November 2026
Stevens announces her endorsement of Rogers
Source release
Stevens posts a video backing Rogers after appearing with him at a Detroit church. She says she no longer belongs in El-Sayed's campaign and remains a proud Democrat.
[06]Haley Stevens
Stevens announces support for Rogers and explains her break with El-Sayed.
Haley Stevens announces her endorsement of Mike Rogers · Haley StevensPost caption and video, 00:00-01:38; endorsement at 00:13.24-00:19.88[07]Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race
WDIV reports the endorsement and comments from Stevens, Rogers and El-Sayed.
Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate raceChurch appearance, comments to reporters and named reactions[08]Dingell describes canceling the planned joint appearance
AP reports Dingell's account of why the planned appearance did not go ahead.
Dingell describes canceling the planned joint appearanceAssociated Press report; Dingell's account of the canceled appearanceHertel says Stevens is not a state-party member and will not be one
Reaction
Hertel says Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party and will not be one in the future.
[09]Curtis Hertel
Hertel states that Stevens is not a current member and rejects future membership.
Curtis Hertel states Haley Stevens's Michigan Democratic Party membership status · Curtis HertelPost 2116964832243229167
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Haley Stevens's endorsement of Mike Rogers is inconsistent with Democratic Party values.
What is disputed
Stevens says her choice reflects Michigan's values and that she remains a proud Democrat. Rogers praises the decision as courageous. Stevens (opens in a new tab); Rogers (opens in a new tab).
Sources (3)
- Ken Martin responds to Haley Stevens's endorsement · Democratic National CommitteeStatement released in the name of DNC Chair Ken Martin
- Haley Stevens announces her endorsement of Mike Rogers · Haley StevensPost caption and video, 00:00-01:38; endorsement at 00:13.24-00:19.88
- Mike Rogers welcomes Haley Stevens's endorsement · Mike RogersPost 2117032241452720190
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 matching responses. Newest first.
Mike RogersRepublican nominee for U.S. Senate in MichiganDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Rogers says he is honored by the endorsement and accuses El-Sayed of anger and dismissiveness.
"Congresswoman Stevens showed courage and bravery in putting Michigan first."
Defended or excusedCase context: Haley Stevens defends endorsing Mike Rogers; Schumer calls it a betrayal
Full statement and sources
Rogers praises Stevens's decision and says they share priorities for Michigan.
After the statement
He describes their agreement on business, education and Michigan's future.
Mike Rogers welcomes Haley Stevens's endorsement · Mike RogersPost 2117032241452720190Why this label?
Relative to Stevens's endorsement, Rogers calls her decision courageous and says it puts Michigan first.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Haley StevensU.S. representative and former Democratic Senate primary candidateDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Stevens says El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign.
"I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."
Defended or excusedCase context: Haley Stevens defends endorsing Mike Rogers; Schumer calls it a betrayal
Full statement and sources
Stevens endorses Rogers, saying El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign.
After the statement
She says she is still a very proud Democrat.
Haley Stevens announces her endorsement of Mike Rogers · Haley StevensPost caption and video, 00:00-01:38; endorsement at 00:13.24-00:19.88Why this label?
Relative to her endorsement of Rogers over El-Sayed, Stevens explicitly supports Rogers and explains her choice.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(16)
Original post
Haley Stevens announces her endorsement of Mike Rogers
Haley Stevens, November 1, 2026. Excerpt: 00:13.20-00:20.05.
6.85-second continuous excerpt from the 98.03-second original announcement, compressed to 480p. Original audio and captions retained.
Video: Haley Stevens / Haley for Michigan. Fair use: news reporting and criticism (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Post caption and video, 00:00-01:38; endorsement at 00:13.24-00:19.88)
About this source
Stevens announces support for Rogers and explains her break with El-Sayed.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Dingell describes canceling the planned joint appearance
Relevant passage: Associated Press report; Dingell's account of the canceled appearance
About this source
AP reports Dingell's account of why the planned appearance did not go ahead.
- Published
- Accessed
Interview
Stevens discusses backing El-Sayed after her primary loss
Haley Stevens on The Takeout, released August 6, 2026. Excerpt: 02:07.00-02:12.00.
Five-second continuous excerpt from the 11:11 interview, encoded at 480p. Original audio retained; no words rearranged.
Video: CBS News / The Takeout. Fair use: news reporting and criticism (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: CBS News, The Takeout; complete interview, 11:11)
About this source
Stevens defends her support for El-Sayed in an interview released August 6.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Haley Stevens concedes and endorses Abdul El-Sayed
Relevant passage: Campaign statement dated August 5, 2026
About this source
Stevens congratulates El-Sayed, endorses him and criticizes Rogers.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Haley Stevens offers Abdul El-Sayed her support after the primary
About this source
Stevens says she spoke with El-Sayed to offer her full support against Rogers.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Abdul El-Sayed wins the Michigan Democratic Senate primary
Relevant passage: Primary result and Stevens's support for El-Sayed
About this source
Roll Call reports the result of the August 4 primary, called on August 5.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Hasan Piker criticizes Stevens's endorsement of Rogers
About this source
Piker responds to Stevens's endorsement and argues that the election should focus on affordability and democracy.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race
Relevant passage: Church appearance, comments to reporters and named reactions
About this source
WDIV reports the endorsement and comments from Stevens, Rogers and El-Sayed.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers for Senate
Relevant passage: Account of the preceding ad dispute, endorsement and named reactions
About this source
Roll Call reports the endorsement, the preceding dispute and the parties' responses.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Elissa Slotkin responds to Haley Stevens's endorsement
About this source
Slotkin criticizes the focus on individual politicians and calls for electing El-Sayed.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Tommy Vietor criticizes Haley Stevens's endorsement
About this source
Vietor replies to Stevens's endorsement announcement.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Donald Trump praises Haley Stevens's endorsement
Relevant passage: Truth Social post 117542639036452664
About this source
Trump praises Stevens for supporting Rogers.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Curtis Hertel states Haley Stevens's Michigan Democratic Party membership status
About this source
Hertel states that Stevens is not a current member and rejects future membership.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Ken Martin responds to Haley Stevens's endorsement
Relevant passage: Statement released in the name of DNC Chair Ken Martin
About this source
Martin criticizes the endorsement and calls for intensified support for El-Sayed.
- Author
- Ken Martin
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Chuck Schumer condemns Haley Stevens's endorsement
About this source
Schumer criticizes the endorsement and reaffirms support for El-Sayed.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Mike Rogers welcomes Haley Stevens's endorsement
About this source
Rogers welcomes the endorsement and explains his stated agreement with Stevens.
- Published
- Accessed
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Haley Stevens defends endorsing Mike Rogers; Schumer calls it a betrayal
- First published
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- Permalink
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The Dispute Index. "Haley Stevens defends endorsing Mike Rogers; Schumer calls it a betrayal". First published: 2026-11-02. Last updated: 2026-11-02. https://disputeindex.com/cases/haley-stevens-mike-rogers-endorsement-abdul-el-sayed