House Democrats Set Deadline for Rep. Haley Stevens After She Backs GOP Senate Candidate
The Michigan lawmaker endorsed a Republican two days before the election, prompting calls for her removal from the House Democratic Caucus.
By Kofi Costa ·
Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., endorsed a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan on Nov. 1, triggering a rapid response from House Democratic leadership. The move occurred two days before the midterm elections and led to demands for her expulsion from the party's House caucus.
Stevens backed former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., over the Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. This decision followed a contentious primary where Stevens narrowly lost to El-Sayed. Since that loss, she maintained a cautious stance toward El-Sayed’s campaign while criticizing his positions on Israel and his outreach to Jewish and Black voters.
Tensions escalated over the weekend when El-Sayed’s campaign asked Stevens to avoid appearing at his events. Stevens had previously planned to attend church with El-Sayed and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., to mobilize voters. She instead appeared at a different church with Rogers and his wife before announcing her endorsement of the Republican ahead of Election Day.
Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., stated on CNN that Stevens had told her multiple times over the weekend that she would not endorse Rogers. Dingell noted on a Monday appearance that she did not know what changed between late Saturday and Sunday morning.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said he would support Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., in deciding how to handle the situation. Jeffries told POLITICO that Stevens made a terrible decision and isolated herself from the caucus. He stated that leaders would discuss appropriate next steps upon their return.
Several lawmakers and organizations have formally requested Stevens' removal. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., wrote on X that Stevens must be removed from the caucus, calling her endorsement deplorable. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., agreed that Stevens has no place in the party. The IfNotNow movement also called for her expulsion and the stripping of her committee assignments.
The Michigan Democratic Party also acted against Stevens. Chairman Curtis Hertel wrote on X that she is not a current member of the party and will not be one in the future. If removed from the House caucus, Stevens would lose access to weekly meetings. Democrats could also seek to change her committee assignments under House rules.
Stevens is leaving Congress at the end of the year. Her office’s communications director sent an automated response on Nov. 1 stating he was no longer with the office, a move that appeared to shun the lawmaker over her endorsement.
