Trump Invites Haley Stevens to Join GOP as Democrats Condemn Her ‘Betrayal’

Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in the state's U.S. Senate race, a move that could scramble a close contest with control of the chamber at stake. President Donald Trump responded at an Iowa rally on Sunday, saying he has never met her but would love to see her join the Republican Party, according to Time.

Stevens lost the August Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed and the two have clashed since, chiefly over her claim that he has not forcefully denounced antisemitism. On Friday she urged him to disavow an ad tying Michigan's cost-of-living troubles to aid for Israel. His campaign had not produced it, and he declined to condemn an unaffiliated ad. Rep. Debbie Dingell then disinvited Stevens from a Sunday Democratic event, and Stevens appeared with Rogers at a Detroit church instead. On CNN she blamed El-Sayed's anger and said she remains a proud Democrat.

Party figures reacted sharply. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a "despicable betrayal." Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Susan Wild and Andy Levin also criticized her. Her chief of staff, Justin German, and several other aides resigned and backed El-Sayed.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Time’s reporting. Read the full story at Time →