House Democrats Set Post-Election Review for Rep. Haley Stevens After Endorsing Republican
Leaders will wait until after Tuesday's midterm vote to determine if the Michigan congresswoman faces expulsion from the party caucus.
By Marco Graham ·
House Democratic leaders have delayed their decision on whether to punish Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., until after the midterm elections on Tuesday. The delay follows her endorsement of a Republican candidate in Michigan's Senate race on Nov. 1. Party officials indicated they will discuss appropriate next steps upon their return to Washington.
Stendors former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. This move occurred just two days before voters head to the polls. The endorsement drew sharp criticism from fellow Democrats who want Stevens removed from the House Democratic Caucus. Some lawmakers have already called for her ouster.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Stevens made a terrible decision that isolated her from the caucus. He added that the group will discuss next steps after the election. A senior Democratic aide stated that House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., would likely support Jeffries in this process. Spokespeople for both leaders did not respond to requests for comment.
The endorsement followed a falling out with El-Sayed's campaign. El-Sayed's team asked Stevens to abstain from his events after she criticized his approach to Israel and key voter groups. Stevens had previously planned to attend church with El-Sayed and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., to mobilize Black voters. Instead, she appeared at another church with Rogers and his wife before announcing her support for the Republican.
Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., said Stevens reassured her multiple times over the weekend that she would not endorse Rogers. Dingell noted uncertainty about what changed between late Saturday and Sunday morning. The endorsement also led to Stevens' removal from the Michigan state Democratic Party. Chairman Curtis Hertel stated on X that she is not a current member and will not be in the future.
In the House, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., called Stevens' actions deplorable and said she is unfit to serve with the caucus. Ramirez said Stevens must be removed. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., agreed that Stevens has no place in the party. The IfNotNow movement formally called for her expulsion and the stripping of her committee assignments. The organization cited the endorsement as a betrayal to Jewish, Muslim, and Democratic voters.
If removed from the caucus, Stevens would lose access to weekly meetings in the U.S. Capitol. Democrats could also pursue action against her committee assignments under House rules. Stevens is leaving Congress at the end of the year after losing Michigan's Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed. An automated response from her communications director noted he was no longer with her office as of Nov. 1.
