Two Michigan Democrats stunned a CNN reporter on Election Day after revealing they had abandoned their party’s Senate nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, to vote for Republican Mike Rogers, citing concerns about antisemitism and political hatred.
CNN correspondent Sunlen Serfaty encountered the voters Tuesday morning outside a polling location in White Lake, Michigan, where she reported finding Democrats willing to cross party lines in the closely watched Senate contest.
One voter said she could not support El-Sayed because of his positions and what she viewed as a lack of support for Michigan’s Jewish community.
“I voted for Mike Rogers, I don’t feel like Abdul is ready to be in the Senate,” a woman identified as Deborah told CNN. “I also am a Jewish member of this community and feel very strongly that he does not support the Jewish community.”
Deborah previously supported Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens during the Senate primary but decided to back Rogers in the general election.
Serfaty characterized the decision as a “pretty bold message” to the Democratic Party.
“Emm hmm, Yeah,” Deborah responded.
Another voter, identified as Manny, told the CNN correspondent that he had never supported a Republican candidate before Tuesday.
CNN reporter Sunlen Serfaty finds it easy to find party-switchers in Michigan today. “Manny” said he’s never voted for a Republican until today. Why not back Abdul? “Because I’m against hate.”
Then the “centrist Republican” voted for Hasan Piker’s candidate. https://t.co/yKe0Cup8JC
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) November 3, 2026
That changed when he entered the voting booth and cast his ballot for Rogers.
“What is the significance of that vote today?” Serfaty asked.
“Draw your own conclusions,” Manny replied.
The reporter pressed him on why he refused to support El-Sayed.
“Why could you not vote for El-Sayed?” she asked.
“Because I’m against hate,” Manny responded.
The interviews highlighted the bitter divisions surrounding El-Sayed’s candidacy, particularly among Democrats who have criticized his positions on Israel and his associations with controversial political figures.
The developments come just days after Stevens delivered one of the biggest political surprises of the election cycle by withdrawing her support for El-Sayed and endorsing Rogers instead.
Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed, initially pledged to support her former opponent despite their disagreements.
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But tensions intensified over a controversial political advertisement from Rebellion PAC, an outside group supporting El-Sayed.
The advertisement featured a couple discussing their inability to afford groceries while criticizing American financial assistance to Israel and the war in Gaza.
Stevens condemned the advertisement, arguing that its message unfairly blamed Israel for Americans’ financial difficulties and raised concerns about antisemitism.
El-Sayed’s campaign maintained that it had no involvement in producing the advertisement.
The dispute escalated when Stevens criticized El-Sayed for failing to clearly identify Iran as a greater threat than Israel during a discussion of Middle Eastern security.
Stevens also objected to El-Sayed’s association with political commentator Hasan Piker, whose past statements have generated controversy.
After El-Sayed’s campaign reportedly told Stevens to avoid upcoming campaign events, the congresswoman withdrew her endorsement and appeared alongside Rogers at a Detroit church Sunday.
“We have to stand with country. We can’t stand with hate,” Stevens told reporters.
“We can’t stand with Hasan Piker.”
The decision triggered an immediate backlash from prominent Democrats, including longtime strategist James Carville.
Carville accused Stevens of abandoning her party and claimed she had sold her soul for a “f*ckin’ cheeseburger.”
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, welcomed the endorsement and praised Stevens for demonstrating “bravery” by supporting the Republican nominee.
The political fallout extended beyond angry statements.
Stevens’ longtime chief of staff resigned following her endorsement of Mike Rogers, while other staff members also distanced themselves from the congresswoman’s decision.
El-Sayed has attempted to downplay the controversy, arguing that Michigan voters are more concerned about everyday expenses and economic pressures than disagreements between politicians.
Still, Tuesday’s CNN interviews showed that at least some Democratic voters shared Stevens’ concerns strongly enough to support a Republican.
The Senate contest carries national significance because the seat is being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Rogers, a former Republican congressman, is seeking to capture the seat, while Abdul El-Sayed is attempting to keep it under Democratic control.
The race has become a prominent example of divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel, antisemitism and the influence of progressive activists.
Although interviews with two voters cannot establish a broader statewide trend, their comments offered a glimpse into how those disagreements are influencing individual voting decisions.
