JD Vance says Haley Stevens' endorsement of GOP's Mike Rogers will 'certainly' help Michigan Senate race

Representative JD Vance says Michigan Democrat’s endorsement of GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers will help him in the mid‑terms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative JD Vance, the Ohio Republican known for his hard‑line stance on national security, told reporters at Joint Base Andrews that she‑endorsed Democrat Haley Stevens’ support for Republican Sen. Mike Rogers will give the GOP candidate a boost in the upcoming mid‑term election.

Vance spoke after two rallies he had been part of in New York and Ohio, responding to a Fox News Digital question about how Stevens’ endorsement might influence voters in Michigan. “I certainly think it helps,” the representative said. “I mean, the message is whether you’re a reasonable Democrat, a Republican, a conservative, an independent, or just a liberal who loves the United States of America. El‑Sayed is a crazy person and Mike Rogers is a patriot.” He added that the endorsement could “give certain voters who normally wouldn’t vote for a Republican permission,” to see Rogers as a viable alternative.

The endorsement came on Sunday when Stevens appeared at a Detroit church to announce that she would no longer support Abdul El‑Sayed, Michigan’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. In a statement, Stevens said she had been “kicked out” of El‑Sayed’s campaign and would therefore back Rogers. “I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign,” she said. “That’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today.”

Rogers, a former Army officer and FBI special agent, has positioned himself as a “patriot” in a race that has drawn sharp partisan lines. His campaign has highlighted his record on law enforcement and national defense, while he has criticized El‑Sayed for his ties to far‑left activist Hasan Piker. In an opinion piece for Fox News Digital, Rogers noted that El‑Sayed had invited Piker—who has been accused of extremist views—to Michigan, and he warned voters of the potential influence of what he described as “terrorist sympathizers.”

El‑Sayed, meanwhile, has emphasized his connection to ordinary Michiganders in his own op‑ed. “I’m running for Senate because no Michigander deserves to be left behind,” he wrote. He noted that his campaign had held over 700 events in more than 120 cities, meeting voters “from all walks of life… hungry for change.” He has also faced criticism for his past affiliations with left‑wing groups, prompting his own supporters to call for a clearer stance on extremist associations.

The debate over Piker’s influence reached a new level when a Fox News Digital investigation revealed that a former employee of a prominent Muslim charity had funneled more than $285 million into six organizations, including the People’s Forum, a known communist‑leaning hub in New York City. The investigation cited Piker’s claims that the charity’s president, Neville Roy Singham, was a target of subpoenas and alleged that the money had supported a range of left‑wing movements, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the ANSWER Coalition.

After speaking at Joint Base Andrews, Vance returned to Washington, D.C., where El‑Sayed and Rogers each held rallies in Michigan to rally their base in the final push before Election Day. The two candidates also coordinated a series of events aimed at encouraging voter turnout.

In the days leading up to the mid‑terms, Vance staged a final “rally blitz” that took him to both Ohio and New York. He was joined on stage by Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and former President Donald Trump Jr., who spoke alongside him. The trio urged Republican voters to head to the polls on Tuesday, emphasizing that the election would determine the future direction of national policy.

The endorsement switch and the ensuing rhetoric have intensified an already heated campaign. Voters in Michigan are faced with a choice that goes beyond party labels. While some see Stevens’ endorsement as a sign that Rogers offers a moderate alternative to El‑Sayed’s progressive platform, others view the move as a betrayal of Democratic values and a sign of the GOP’s increasing influence in state politics.

As Election Day approaches, analysts say that the race remains competitive, with both campaigns actively seeking to broaden their appeal. Vance’s comments highlight the importance of cross‑party endorsements in shaping voter perceptions, while Stevens’ shift underscores the high stakes of the Michigan Senate race for both parties. The outcome will not only decide Michigan’s representation in the U.S. Senate but could also influence the balance of power in the U.S. House and Senate as the nation heads toward its mid‑term elections.