El-Sayed scores single-day fundraising record after Haley Stevens endorses rival

Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race shakeup

Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers over fellow Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race, triggering a major party backlash. Top Democrats, including Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, publicly condemn the endorsement. Former communications director for Speaker McCarthy Mark Bednar joins 'Fox & Friends First' to analyze the political fallout.

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Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign says it raised more than $2.4 million in a single day, setting a fundraising record in the final stretch of the Michigan race.

The Democratic candidate's campaign said Sunday’s haul came from more than 65,000 donors, who gave an average of $36.74. Nearly 29,600 people contributed to the campaign for the first time.

The fundraising surge came on the heels of Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., endorsing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday after months of turmoil following her primary loss to the more progressive candidate.

DEMOCRAT HALEY STEVENS ENDORSES GOP SENATE NOMINEE MIKE ROGERS

Rep. Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday drew swift backlash from Democrats, who accused her of undermining the party’s Senate nominee.

"As Michiganders head to the polls, the momentum behind Abdul’s campaign has never been stronger," campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak said in a statement following the final-hour cash haul.

Stevens, who was considered the more moderate establishment candidate in her primary against El-Sayed earlier this year, said she remains "a very proud Democrat" who loves Michigan.

She insisted, however, in the video message posted to social media over the weekend that she could not support El-Sayed, citing his backing from radical left-wing political streamer Hasan Piker.

"Hey Michigan, as you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul said that I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away and he's right. And that's why I'm endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today," Stevens said in a video posted on X.

The endorsement of the Trump-backed Republican candidate drew swift criticism from Democrats.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it "a despicable betrayal" and said his caucus in the upper chamber remains united behind El-Sayed.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel also condemned Stevens’ decision, saying she had "abandoned everything she claims to care about."

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Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan Abdul El-Sayed takes questions from reporters after a campaign rally on Oct. 24, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News Digital)

El-Sayed brushed off the endorsement Sunday, telling reporters he does not think about Stevens or Rogers and was focused on voters and policy.

He also has attempted in recent months to distance himself from Piker amid the streamer's rising national recognition and increased scrutiny on his controversial statements — including antisemitic sentiments and claiming that "America deserved 9/11."

Amanda Macias covers the intersection of business, economics and politics, with a focus on how policy decisions shape markets, businesses and American workers.