'Despicable betrayal': Democrats stunned after Michigan congresswoman endorses Republican for Senate
Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, following a public falling out with her party's nominee, El-Sayed. The move has caused internal friction within the Democratic party during a critical election cycle.
Why it matters
This endorsement is highly unusual and could impact the outcome of a tight Senate race that is crucial for control of the U.S. Congress.
Stevens endorsed Rogers after attending a Detroit church service with him. The remarkable show of support for the President Donald Trump-backed candidate in the tightly contested race comes after she was uninvited to a joint event the same day with El-Sayed, who defeated the congresswoman by a slim margin in the August primary.
"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 the endorsement, which led her top aide to quit. "And he's right. And that's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."
El-Sayed dismissed the endorsement when asked about it by reporters later Sunday, saying he's focused on issues voters care about, such as the high cost of living.
Also covering this story
8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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