What to know about Michigan Senate race after Stevens' surprise endorsement of Rogers over El-Sayed

As the 2026 Michigan Senate race approaches its final days, Democratic primary rivals Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens have experienced a public rift. Initially committed to campaign together in a rare joint appearance on October 31, they began exchanging critical messages, escalating tensions between them. This conflict stems from their bitter primary battle earlier that year, with progressive El-Sayed defeating more moderate Stevens. After the primary loss, Stevens had endorsed El-Sayed but withdrew support following an ad criticizing Israel, leading to public disputes and even Stevens' fiancé publicly condemning El-Sayed. In response to these conflicts, El-Sayed's campaign disinvited Stevens from further events, citing "distractions." Despite this setback, El-Sayed saw a significant boost in donations, raising $2.4 million in just days following Stevens’ decision.