DETROIT, Michigan — November 1, 2026 — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed raised approximately $1.2 million in just four hours after Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, according to a report by POLITICO.
The fundraising surge came only two days before the November 3 midterm elections and followed an extraordinary political development in Michigan, where Stevens publicly broke with her party’s Senate nominee after losing to him in the Democratic primary earlier this year.
El-Sayed’s campaign reported that the donations represented its second-strongest fundraising day since he secured the Democratic nomination.
A Political Endorsement Followed by a Fundraising Surge
Stevens announced her support for Rogers on Sunday after attending a church service alongside the Republican nominee in Detroit.
Her decision followed a public disagreement with El-Sayed over Israel and campaign messaging, as well as the cancellation of a planned joint appearance intended to demonstrate Democratic unity.
Stevens had previously supported El-Sayed following her primary defeat, making her last-minute endorsement of his Republican opponent particularly unusual.
Within hours of her announcement, donations to El-Sayed’s campaign reportedly reached $1.2 million.
Although the timing suggests that Stevens’ decision may have motivated some donors, the available fundraising figures do not establish how many contributions were directly prompted by her endorsement.
Michigan Democrats Rally Behind El-Sayed
The Michigan Democratic Party responded forcefully to Stevens’ decision, reaffirming its support for El-Sayed and criticizing attempts to divide the party ahead of Election Day.
In a statement published on X, the party declared that Michigan Democrats remained united behind their Senate nominee and rejected what it described as efforts by Stevens and others to undermine the campaign.
Several prominent Democrats also criticized Stevens’ endorsement, while members of her congressional staff reportedly resigned in protest.
The reaction demonstrated the extent of the controversy within the party during the final days of the election campaign.
What Does $1.2 Million Mean for the Campaign?
A sudden increase in donations can provide a campaign with additional resources for advertising, voter outreach, digital communications, and final efforts to encourage participation.
However, with Election Day approaching on November 3, the practical impact of such a late fundraising increase depends on how quickly the campaign can deploy the money.
The reported $1.2 million represents a substantial fundraising development, but it should not be interpreted as a measure of voter support or evidence that the election outcome has changed.
The figure was reported by POLITICO and attributed to El-Sayed’s campaign. It has not been independently verified through a newly filed campaign finance report.
A Senate Race Under National Attention
El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official, defeated Stevens in Michigan’s August Democratic primary.
He is now competing against Rogers for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Gary Peters.
The campaign has attracted national attention because of disagreements over Israel, economic policy, and the direction of the Democratic Party.
Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers has added another dimension to those divisions, prompting public criticism from Democratic leaders and a rapid fundraising response reported by El-Sayed’s campaign.
With only two days remaining before voters head to the polls, both campaigns are making their final appeals.
The $1.2 million raised in four hours is a significant financial development for El-Sayed’s campaign. Whether the political controversy surrounding Stevens’ endorsement will influence the election itself remains to be seen.
Sources: POLITICO; The Wall Street Journal; Michigan Public; Reuters; Michigan Democratic Party Official Statement.
By NJ RADAR Team