Vance: Stevens’ Rogers Endorsement Will ‘Certainly’ Help GOP in Michigan

Vice President JD Vance said Rep. Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers will “certainly” help the GOP candidate in Michigan’s Senate race, arguing it gives some Democratic-leaning voters permission to back a Republican. Stevens, a Michigan Democrat, endorsed Rogers on Sunday after saying she was no longer welcome in Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign.

What happened

Vance spoke to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Washington, D.C., on Monday, after holding rallies for Republican candidates in New York and Ohio. Asked by Fox News Digital about the impact of Stevens’ endorsement, the vice president said he believes it helps Rogers.

“I certainly think it helps,” Vance said, adding that the endorsement sends a message to “a reasonable Democrat, a Republican, a conservative, an independent or just a liberal who loves the United States of America.” He called El-Sayed “a crazy person” and Rogers “a patriot.”

Vance also said the endorsement could give voters who would not normally back a Republican “permission” to support Rogers, knowing a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan is backing him.

Stevens announced her endorsement of Rogers on Sunday, saying El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. “I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign,” she said. Both candidates wrote opinion pieces for Fox News Digital on Monday. El-Sayed said he is running because “no Michigander deserves to be left behind” and cited more than 700 events in over 120 cities. Rogers, a former Army officer and FBI street agent, criticized El-Sayed’s association with streamer Hasan Piker and said El-Sayed had taken donations from individuals linked to terrorist organizations.

After Vance returned to Joint Base Andrews on Monday afternoon, El-Sayed and Rogers both held rallies in Michigan.

Why it matters

Michigan is a closely watched Senate battleground, and a Democratic congresswoman’s endorsement of the Republican candidate is an unusual break that could shift how some voters see the race. Vance’s comments suggest the Republican strategy is to frame Rogers as acceptable to moderate Democrats and El-Sayed as too far left. Whether that argument moves votes is not known; the source does not include polling or independent analysis.

The dispute also highlights divisions among Michigan Democrats. El-Sayed’s ties to Piker, a streamer who has drawn criticism from Stevens and others, have become a line of attack for Rogers.

Key facts at a glance

What this means for you

• If you live in Michigan, the Senate race now includes an unusual cross-party endorsement that could affect how undecided voters view Rogers.
• Vance’s remarks signal that Republicans plan to use Stevens’ endorsement to court moderate Democrats and independents.
• No polling or election outcome is included in the source, so the actual effect on voters is not yet known.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Haley Stevens?

She is a Democratic U.S. representative from Michigan who endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Senate on Sunday.

Why did Stevens endorse Rogers?

Stevens said El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and that she does not belong in it.

What did JD Vance say about the endorsement?

He said it will “certainly” help Rogers and could give some voters permission to support a Republican.

When is the election?

The source refers to Tuesday’s midterm elections.

What to watch next

Whether Stevens’ endorsement changes voter behavior in Michigan is unknown. The source does not include polling. Both candidates held rallies in Michigan on Monday, and the election is Tuesday.