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Haley Stevens just did a lot more damage than she expected-to herself.
Slate Magazine • • nation
Key Points:
- Rep. Haley Stevens rescinded her endorsement of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and backed Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race, causing feelings of betrayal among her Black supporters and anger among national Democrats.
- Patricia Coleman-Burns and other Black voters expressed disappointment and saw Stevens' move as abandoning the community, though some believe it may actually motivate increased turnout for El-Sayed.
- Longtime supporters of Stevens, like Anne Soffin, felt heartbroken and conflicted, choosing to leave their Senate ballot blank rather than support either candidate.
- Democratic insiders like Lon Johnson acknowledge divisions within the party and skepticism about Stevens’ endorsement impact, noting some Democrats quietly plan to vote for Rogers due to discomfort with El-Sayed.
- The race is expected to be close, with concerns that El-Sayed may underperform typical Democratic support in Michigan, partly due to internal party fractures and fears of backlash over his candidacy.
