The political fallout from Representative Haley Stevens's decision to back Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race has not only failed to dent Abdul El-Sayed's momentum but has also inadvertently galvanized Democratic support behind him. Prediction markets, which had already favored El-Sayed, showed him holding steady at roughly 78 to 79 percent on Kalshi by Monday morning. While these numbers are not polls and can fluctuate, they indicate that Stevens's endorsement has not fundamentally altered the market's assessment of the race.
The backlash has translated into a significant fundraising surge. According to a post by MSNOW executive producer Kyle Griffin on X, El-Sayed's campaign reported raising more than $2.4 million on Sunday—its largest single-day haul to date. The influx came from over 65,000 donors, with an average contribution of $36.74, and nearly 30,000 of those were first-time donors. This remarkable response underscores the depth of Democratic anger over Stevens's move.
The controversy has also raised questions about Stevens's personal and political judgment. The New Republic published a piece titled "Haley Stevens's Friends and Staffers Are Freaked Out by Her Fiancé," detailing concerns from her inner circle about Jason Turkish's influence. Michigan University regent Jordan Acker, a friend of Stevens, publicly stated he was "deeply troubled" by Turkish's alleged treatment of Stevens's staff, friends, and allies. Acker also claimed he could not reach Stevens because Turkish had taken her phone, adding, "I've heard serious concerns about his treatment of Haley's staff, friends, and allies. My own experiences have only deepened those concerns."
While the private dynamics of their relationship remain unclear, the allegations have cast a shadow over Stevens's decision. Her public explanations have done little to clarify matters. In an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Stevens struggled to articulate what changed her mind, citing only "Abdul getting angrier and angrier" without specifying any concrete actions. Cooper pressed her on the timing, noting that "he didn't get angrier from midnight to this morning," to which Stevens replied, "Well, Anderson, you certainly weren't on the phone with me at midnight." The exchange, which commentator Aaron Rupar described as a "seemingly mental breakdown," has only amplified the sense of disarray.
The political consequences have been swift. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had previously backed Stevens during the primary, called her endorsement of Rogers a "despicable betrayal." House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other party leaders have also rallied behind El-Sayed, reaffirming their support for the party's nominee. This unity stands in stark contrast to the internal divisions that have plagued Democrats for months, and it has been forged in response to Stevens's actions.
El-Sayed's campaign has also received a boost from other quarters, including a high-profile endorsement from Bruce Springsteen as the race tightens. Meanwhile, the Democratic caucus is reportedly weighing potential action against Stevens for her cross-party endorsement, a move that could have lasting repercussions for her career.
The episode has also drawn sharp criticism from commentators. Van Jones, for instance, said Stevens "flushed herself down the toilet" with the endorsement, a sentiment echoed by many Democrats. The cross-party endorsement has shaken the Michigan Senate race, but it appears to have strengthened El-Sayed's position rather than undermining it.
Whether this will translate into votes on election day remains uncertain, but Stevens's decision has undeniably changed the conversation and, unexpectedly, brought Democrats together around Abdul El-Sayed. The party that has spent months wrestling with internal divisions is now presenting a more unified front—centered on the candidate Stevens chose to abandon.
