Michigan Democrats expel Haley Stevens after endorsing GOP rival to Abdul El-Sayed

The Democratic Party in Michigan has expelled Representative Haley Stevens after she announced her support for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, rather than Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in the primary.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel stated on X that Stevens is no longer a party member and will not be in the future, following a video she posted endorsing Rogers.

Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers came days after a public dispute with El-Sayed, partly centered on El-Sayed’s stance on Israel—a key issue that made their primary contest particularly divisive.

Despite backing Rogers, Stevens said in her video that she remains “a very proud Democrat” and wanted to clarify her position to voters.

The Michigan Senate race is considered crucial for Democrats’ efforts to retain control of the chamber, with most scenarios indicating a win in the state is essential for their majority.

Stevens’s move sparked anger among Democrats in Michigan and nationwide, with calls for both Stevens and El-Sayed to present a “united front.”

Axios reported that some House Democrats are seeking to remove Stevens from the Democratic caucus, an unusual step reflecting deep internal frustration.

Representative Lateefah Simon, Democrat of California, told Axios she hopes Stevens does not return to work on Tuesday and called for her removal from the caucus.

Representative Marc Veasey, Democrat of Texas, supported this stance, saying her endorsement “only hurts Haley” and that she “got bad advice.” Representative Emily Randall, Democrat of Washington, also backed removing Stevens.

A senior House Democrat noted that private discussions have taken place about expelling Stevens, adding, “This is what people want,” and that she has already been removed from several Democratic group text threads in the House.

Another Democratic lawmaker cited a rule prohibiting support for candidates running against party nominees, while a third called Stevens’s support for a Republican in a pivotal state “absurd” and grounds for full expulsion from the caucus.

However, Axios noted that not all critics of Stevens agree on expulsion, with one senior Democrat urging patience and discussion after Tuesday. A fourth lawmaker called Stevens’s decision “unfortunate” but said the caucus may need her vote in the final two months before her departure.

Several lawmakers also pointed out that Stevens is set to retire soon, and that El-Sayed’s victory could render her removal moot.