El-Sayed, Stevens plan Detroit unity push

Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers two days before the midterm election, reversing her initial support for her party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. The rupture followed a dispute over an unaffiliated campaign ad criticizing U.S. aid to Israel and Stevens’ demand that El-Sayed condemn it; El-Sayed rejected what he called a renewed fight over the primary, and Stevens was excluded from a planned campaign event. Stevens also criticized El-Sayed’s association with commentator Hasan Piker, saying she could not support what she viewed as hateful rhetoric. Her endorsement angered Democrats, while President Donald Trump praised the move and invited her to join the Republican Party. The endorsement heightened party tensions in a closely watched Michigan contest as control of the Senate remained uncertain.