Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens endorses a Republican for U.S. Senate. Then over half of her staff quit their jobs: ‘We are shocked and heartbroken’

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate. In response, well over half of her congressional staff quit on Sunday as a direct protest of the decision, according to Detroit Free Press.

The endorsement was a surprise announcement. It was designed to boost Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

A person who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing concerns over future job security, described the departures as a “mass resignation.” Officials did not make the precise number of aides who left public.

Staff resignations follow the endorsement with a public statement

Justin German, Stevens’ chief of staff for eight years, issued a public statement. He said he was speaking for the team as a whole.

“As Haley Stevens’ Chief of Staff for eight years, I speak on behalf of our team in wholeheartedly supporting Abdul El-Sayed for Senate … We are shocked and heartbroken by Congresswoman Stevens’ decision to support Mike Rogers,” German said.

“As of this morning, many members of our team have resigned, including myself. We encourage everyone to exercise their civic duty, vote for Abdul and Democrats up and down the ballot, and stand up for the America we all believe in,” he added.

Democrats and progressives criticized the congresswoman for the move, which came days before the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Even though El-Sayed faces some opposition inside his own party, polls show that 95 percent Democrats in Michigan back him.

Virgie Rollins, chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Black Caucus, wrote on social media, “We are dismayed that Congresswoman Stevens has revealed herself to be a sellout who used Black Michiganders for a political stunt.”

Earlier this year, El-Sayed defeated Stevens in the Democratic primary for the Senate nomination. Stevens is scheduled to leave office at the end of her current term.

The endorsement came after Stevens sat near Rogers, a former Republican congressman, during a morning service at Perfecting Church on Detroit’s east side.

Stevens and El-Sayed had been set to appear together at an event in Detroit. The appearance did not take place after Stevens demanded that El-Sayed apologize for a political action committee advertisement.

The ad blamed high grocery prices on aid for Israel. El-Sayed then accused Stevens of relitigating the primary, during which the two candidates traded barbs over Israel. The endorsement also came several days after Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, said he was backing Rogers. El-Sayed, however, laughed off a question about whether Stevens wants to sabotage his campaign.