Michigan Senate race tightens as Rep. Stevens backs GOP candidate

Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers just hours before Tuesday's midterm election. Her support for the GOP nominee came after she dropped out of the Democratic primary against Abdul El-Sayed. This final push by the Republican ticket aims to win over voters who traditionally do not align with their party.

On Monday, the Michigan Republican Party held a press conference at its headquarters to announce the endorsement. Six community leaders, representing African American and Jewish groups, spoke to the press. They criticized El-Sayed for what they described as radical associations. The group argued that Stevens' move would influence last-minute voters. Nearly two dozen other attendees, many of whom were Black or Jewish, joined the event.

Michelle Nard, a former Democrat running for state Senate, said Stevens had a large following. Nard noted that strong supporters in the community would likely follow Stevens to the polls. Marcus Bowman, a Detroit school board trustee, said he knew Stevens personally. He believed true supporters would respect her decision based on his concerns about El-Sayed.

Polling data shows El-Sayed’s support among African Americans has remained steady at approximately 75% since August. This figure is below the typical benchmark for the Democratic Party. The Arab American community in Detroit has historically had tensions with African Americans on various issues. This dynamic has been a recurring theme in El-Sayed's campaign.

Among Jewish voters, high-profile donors and leaders have moved toward Rogers. Aaron Tobin, a conservative Jewish community leader, said Stevens gave many Democrats permission to vote for Rogers. He argued that seeing a popular Democrat endorse Rogers would break down barriers for Jewish voters who felt abandoned by the party.

At Rogers' closing rally on Monday night, the campaign highlighted these community shifts. Six former Democrats took the stage to explain why they viewed El-Sayed as too extreme. Rogers praised the group and thanked Stevens during his final speech. Crowds cheered when Stevens' name was mentioned. Adam Piper, executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, said the momentum in Michigan was real. He observed homemade yard signs in Black churchyards in the Detroit area that read African Americans and Jews stand together.

Doug Lloyd, the Republican nominee for attorney general, said 50% of available voters had already cast ballots. He expressed optimism that Stevens' endorsement might sway undecided voters. Curtis Hertel, the Michigan Democratic Party chair, countered that the endorsement could strengthen El-Sayed's base. El-Sayed's campaign reported raising $2.4 million on Sunday, marking its highest fundraising day of the cycle.