By Sohaib Shams
Democratic U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday, a dramatic reversal in a closely watched race that could decide control of the Senate.
Dispute with Democratic nominee
Stevens announced her endorsement in a video after Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed asked her to stop attending campaign events. The request followed a public clash over an outside group's advertisement that Stevens called antisemitic. El-Sayed had accused Stevens of relitigating a primary that ended months earlier.
Church appearance and endorsement
Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at a Detroit church service before making her endorsement public. Rogers' spokesperson, Abby Ronson, confirmed the joint appearance and said the campaign welcomed Stevens' support.
Staff resignations
Stevens' longtime chief of staff, Justin German, and several other congressional staff members are resigning in protest over her decision to back the Republican candidate.
Race dynamics
More than 2 million votes have already been cast through mail-in and early in-person voting. It remains unclear how much Stevens' endorsement will affect the outcome in the final days before the election.
