House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Monday that Democrats will hold discussions on how to handle Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) when Congress reconvenes next week, following her decision to endorse Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's open Senate race.
In an interview with Politico, Jeffries did not mince words: "Haley Stevens made a terrible decision, blindsided everyone and isolated herself from the House Democratic Caucus. We will have a discussion about appropriate next steps upon our return."
Both chambers are set to return on Nov. 9, just days after the midterm elections. The timing adds an extra layer of tension as Democrats fight to maintain control of the Senate and chip away at the GOP's House majority.
Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to progressive Abdul El-Sayed, threw her support behind Rogers on Sunday—a move that has triggered widespread backlash within her own party. She has also appeared alongside Rogers on the campaign trail, further inflaming tensions.
The endorsement comes after a bitter primary in which El-Sayed narrowly defeated Stevens. In recent days, the two have clashed publicly, with Stevens's fiancé—who is Jewish—endorsing Rogers after voicing opposition to El-Sayed's stance on Israel.
House Democratic Caucus rules are explicit: to maintain "good standing," members cannot participate in campaign activities for any non-Democratic candidate in a partisan federal election. Stevens's actions appear to violate that rule, leaving party leaders to weigh potential consequences.
Jeffries and other Democrats have rallied behind El-Sayed, emphasizing the stakes of the Michigan race. "Let's be clear about one thing. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed will always put the American people first and fight hard to lower the high cost of living," Jeffries wrote on X. "His election is critical to flipping control of the United States Senate."
El-Sayed, for his part, has not shied away from the conflict. Last week, he told Stevens to stay away from his campaign events and disinvited her from a planned appearance, according to a source familiar with the matter. He also pushed back after Stevens called for an apology over past comments she deemed antisemitic.
"So, while Congresswoman Stevens seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago, let's all focus on the task at hand: that's beating Mike Rogers, holding Trump accountable, and getting money out of politics," El-Sayed wrote on X.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel went further, declaring Sunday that "Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future."
The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader turmoil in the Michigan Senate race, with some Democrats worrying about the impact on turnout. Meanwhile, Democrats lead in several key Senate contests, but the margins remain razor-thin.
Stevens has defended her endorsement, but the fallout has been swift. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) called Stevens's CNN defense of Rogers "painful," and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly called the move a "despicable betrayal."
The Hill has reached out to Stevens's office for comment, but no response has been received.
As the party grapples with Stevens's defection, leaders are also preparing for post-election battles, including potential investigations into former President Trump. The Stevens situation adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught political landscape.
