Haley Stevens’ Flip‑Flop on Michigan Senate Race Sparks Outrage
Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens, who once backed Abdul El‑Sayed, has now endorsed Republican Mike Rogers just days before the election.
From Near‑Victory to a Sudden Switch
In August, Haley Stevens almost secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Michigan before throwing her support behind the eventual winner, Abdul El‑Sayed. Over the following months she vacillated, voicing doubts about his campaign while still publicly backing him.
Last week, her fiancé announced his intention to vote for El‑Sayed’s Republican challenger, Mike Rogers. Two days later, Stevens followed suit, endorsing Rogers just before Election Day.
Whoa—what a turnaround!
Why Stevens Says She Changed Sides
Stevens argues that her endorsement of Rogers stems from a “principled objection” to what she describes as El‑Sayed’s rhetoric and associations that threaten Michigan’s Jewish population.
She points to El‑Sayed’s refusal to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and his elevation of anti‑Zionism to the centerpiece of his primary campaign. According to Stevens, this stance has attracted activists whose language “habitually goes beyond mere criticism of Israel… into conspiratorial anti‑Semitism.”
Controversial Alliances Highlighted
During his campaign, El‑Sayed campaigned with Amir Makled, a University of Michigan Board of Regents candidate who had reposted anti‑Semitic tweets from Candace Owens. He also aligned himself with Hasan Piker, a Marxist‑Leninist known for repeated anti‑Semitic remarks.
When a network of anti‑Israel protesters was charged with plotting to intimidate local Jews, El‑Sayed questioned the indictment, telling reporters, “It’s a lot more about what you’re advocating for that gets you indicted or not indicted, rather than what you did.”
Limited Concessions to the Jewish Community
El‑Sayed has offered a few apologies. He later said his “hurt people hurt people” comment after a terrorist attack on a Jewish nursery school minimized the victims’ pain. He also responded to left‑wing media personality Cenk Uygur’s anti‑Israel ad by stating, “I do not agree with the contents of that ad,” without labeling it offensive.
Broader Concerns Among Michigan Jews
Jewish leaders in the state say they fear El‑Sayed’s approach could import a new norm into the Democratic Party—one that treats any form of Zionism, even liberal criticism of Israel, as a racist ideology.
Rabbi Josh Whinston of Ann Arbor wrote an op‑ed in the Detroit Free Press expressing alarm over El‑Sayed’s rhetoric and alliances, noting that El‑Sayed has yet to respond to his call for dialogue.
Michigan regent Jordan Acker reported that his home was vandalized overnight by anti‑Israel activists, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the race.
Reactions to Stevens’ Endorsement
Stevens’ sudden endorsement of Rogers has been met with accusations of opportunism and political stupidity. Critics argue that she is now guilty of the same overlooking bigotry for political expediency she once blamed El‑Sayed for.
The drama keeps unfolding!
What This Means for the Election
With only days left before voters head to the polls, Stevens’ move adds another layer of complexity to a race already charged with cultural and ideological stakes. Whether her endorsement will sway enough voters to tip the balance remains to be seen.
For now, the Michigan Senate contest stands as a flashpoint for debates over anti‑Zionism, free speech, and the political influence of the state’s Jewish community.
