President Trump on Sunday praised Rep. Haley Stevens for breaking with her party to endorse Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, weighing in after Democrats unleashed fierce criticism of the congresswoman’s decision.
Speaking with reporters in Iowa, Mr. Trump called the endorsement “very brave” and a “big move” that few saw coming. He said he planned to call Ms. Stevens to thank her personally for backing Mr. Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.
“It’s a smart thing to do because El-Sayed would destroy our country,” he said. “That was fantastic.”
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Mr. Trump’s praise came as Democratic leaders blasted Ms. Stevens for crossing party lines in a marquee Senate race that could decide control of the upper chamber.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York Democrat, called the move “a despicable betrayal.” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel accused her of abandoning the values on which she had campaigned.
Ms. Stevens announced her endorsement after appearing alongside Mr. Rogers at a Black church in Detroit.
In a video explaining her decision, Ms. Stevens pointed to Mr. El-Sayed’s decision to push her away from his campaign, saying, “I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign.”
She has not seen eye to eye with Mr. El-Sayed on U.S.-Israel relations.
The endorsement marked a stunning reversal for Ms. Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to Mr. El-Sayed in August but had previously pledged to support the party’s ticket.
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