El-Sayed Beats Rogers in Michigan Senate Race After Stevens Endorses Republican

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's U.S. Senate race early Wednesday, keeping the seat Democratic, days after Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the August primary, endorsed Rogers. Stevens, 43, has represented Michigan's 11th District since 2019. On Friday she demanded that El-Sayed apologize for past criticism of Israel, and Rep. Debbie Dingell then disinvited her from a church event with El-Sayed and Rep. James Clyburn. Stevens switched her endorsement to Rogers on Sunday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had backed her in the primary, called the move a despicable betrayal. On Tuesday she voted in Birmingham with her mother and did not answer a NewsNation reporter's questions. Axios reported Tuesday, citing two unnamed Trump administration officials, that Stevens asked the U.S. Marshals Service for protection after death threats. Stevens has said she was long uncomfortable with El-Sayed's stance on Israel.

Left-leaning outlets Slate and The New Republic focus on the fallout for Stevens. Slate opens with Detroit's Patricia Coleman-Burns, who said she felt betrayed, relays Black women voters' reactions and Schumer's anger, and describes Michigan's mood as embarrassment and bafflement. The New Republic leads with the polling-place scene, her hat, her exchange with NewsNation, her 890-word AI-assisted statement, and the Dingell and Clyburn episode, in a mocking tone that says she wrecked her prospects. Right-leaning Daily Wire leads with the death threats and Marshals request, sourced to Axios and unnamed Trump officials. It describes backlash as mainly from within her party, notes she still backs other Democrats, lists the sour-grapes and fiancé theories, and gives her Israel-based explanation. It omits the hat and ridicule. Both sides agree on the Sunday endorsement and the party backlash. They differ on whether Stevens appears as a political casualty or as a target of threats. Alternative outlets The Intercept and Defector echo the left's harsh tone.