Two days before the US midterms, Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens said she is backing Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race after Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed reportedly told her she was no longer welcome on his campaign — Mediafax reports.

Stevens appeared with Rogers on Sunday at a service at Perfecting Church in Detroit. In an X video she said: “Our Democratic Senate candidate, Abdul, said I’m no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away. And he’s right. That’s why I’m endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today.”

She argued the Democrat’s messages do not reflect Michigan voters’ values and stressed she remains a Democrat despite backing a Republican.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the move “a despicable betrayal.” Michigan Democratic chair Curtis Hertel accused her of abandoning the principles she claims to defend and rejected “attempts (…) to divide the party.”

Associated Press reported her chief of staff resigned after the announcement, with other staff expected to follow. Donald Trump praised her on Truth Social for loyalty to Michigan residents.

The rift with El-Sayed dates to the August Democratic primary Stevens lost and sharpened over Israel: centrist, pro-Israel Stevens criticised a progressive ad; progressive El-Sayed has repeatedly criticised US policy toward Israel.

Source consulted: Betrayal in the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms — Mediafax.

Image: US Capitol (Wikimedia Commons, public domain).

Sources consulted: Betrayal in the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms — Mediafax.