Political betrayal, Canada trade war: Why Michigan is a Senate race to watch

Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens publicly endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, providing a surprising boost to President Donald Trump's Republicans in a critical US Senate race just days before the midterm elections. The endorsement came as Stevens, who lost the Michigan Democrats' Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, appeared with Rogers at a Detroit church.

The move threatened to deepen divisions in the state, which is seen as crucial to Democratic hopes of retaking the US Senate. Stevens emphasized that she did not belong in El-Sayed's campaign, stating, "I don't belong in Abdul’s campaign."

In response to Stevens' endorsement, Trump invited her to join the Republican Party and claimed that El-Sayed would "destroy our country." A few hours later, at a political rally in Iowa, Trump made false claims that El-Sayed is a "jihadist," reflecting a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric targeting Arab Americans and Muslims. Despite the endorsement's potential impact, a New York Times / Siena poll showed El-Sayed leading Rogers with 53% to 42%.

Stevens' endorsement led to resignations among some of her congressional staff and expressed disdain from certain voters. A spokesperson for El-Sayed's campaign noted that the race was not about them, Rogers, or Stevens, but about the people of Michigan, who had personally engaged with El-Sayed in their communities. Meanwhile, Alaska's Republican incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan faced a Trump administration-backed lawsuit attempting to block the certification of the results if he narrowly loses.

However, a federal judge dismissed the case, prompting Governor Mike Dunleavy to suggest he might not certify a victory by Democratic nominee Mary Peltola.