El-Sayed's primary opponent stuns Democrats by endorsing Republican opponent in Michigan Senate race

Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in the state's U.S. Senate race, a surprise break with her party two days before Election Day in a contest that could help decide control of the Senate. PBS NewsHour and BBC report that Stevens, who lost the August primary to Abdul El-Sayed, appeared with Rogers at a Detroit-area church on Sunday after being told she was not welcome at a joint Democratic unity event. Stevens said El-Sayed had made clear he did not want her in his campaign, according to PBS NewsHour · BBC.

El-Sayed told reporters he does not think about Stevens and that none of it matters. State party chair Curtis Hertel said she had abandoned everything she claims to care about, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the move a despicable betrayal. PBS NewsHour adds that her longtime chief of staff resigned, and that Rep. Debbie Dingell said she herself canceled the joint appearance. BBC adds that the rift followed a dispute over an outside group's ad blaming Israel for food prices, that Rogers praised Stevens's courage, and that President Donald Trump also applauded her. BBC also says some voters doubted the move would change minds.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour · BBC and BBC’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour · BBC → Also at BBC →