House Democrats Push to Oust Haley Stevens From Caucus as Her Staff Walks Out
Democrats are turning on Rep. Haley Stevens one day after the Michigan congresswoman endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over her own party’s Senate nominee, Abdul El-Sayed.
Several House Democrats now want her thrown out of the caucus before Election Day, Axios reported Monday. Rep. Lateefah Simon of California said, “I hope she doesn’t return to work on Tuesday.”
Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas answered “Agreed,” adding that the endorsement “doesn’t accomplish anything except hurt Haley.” Rep. Emily Randall of Washington said, “I’d support that.”
A senior House Democrat told the outlet, “That’s what people want.” Stevens has already been dropped from several Democratic text chains, though some members prefer to wait until after Tuesday since she is retiring anyway.
Staff Resigns, State Party Cuts Her Off
The fallout reached her own office first. Chief of staff Justin German said he was “shocked and heartbroken” and that “many members of our team have resigned, including myself,” according to Axios.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland was blunt about the reversal. “I’m dumbfounded that Haley told me one thing last night and changed her mind today,” he said.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel then announced that “Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future.”
Hertel told reporters the move was “an abomination.” The Detroit News reported that she lost access to the party’s voter database and that her photo was pulled from its website, HuffPost noted.
National leaders piled on. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called it “a despicable betrayal,” and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Stevens had “dangerously chosen to betray” Michigan families, the AP reported.
Stevens did little to calm things down Sunday night on CNN. She told anchor Anderson Cooper the decision was “just a weight off my shoulders,” then bristled when he pressed her, Mediaite reported.
“It sounds like you’re upset with me too, Anderson!” she said. Cooper replied, “You’re not really answering any of my questions, so it’s somewhat frustrating.”
After a seven-second pause, Stevens asked, “Was that a question, Anderson?” Cooper then read back her own August post warning that “Mike Rogers will be another rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda.”
Asked about the staff departures, she said only that she was “under a transition” and “running down my office.” Fellow Michigan Democrat Rep. Debbie Dingell called the interview “painful” to watch.
El-Sayed, for his part, is cashing in. His campaign raised $1.2 million in about four hours after the endorsement, its second-best fundraising day since August, Politico reported.
“In three days we’re going to make them call me senator,” El-Sayed said. Rogers and El-Sayed are locked in one of the cycle’s most closely watched Senate races.
President Trump, meanwhile, floated a bigger move. “I’d love her to join the Republican party. I think that could happen,” he said at a rally in Iowa, the Guardian reported.
Whether Stevens’ break shifts any votes will be clear Tuesday night. For now, it has handed Democrats a messy intraparty fight in the campaign’s final hours.
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