Stevens, Cooper Clash Over Rogers Endorsement

Representative Haley Stevens engaged in a combative interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper on Sunday night, repeatedly sidestepping questions about her decision to endorse Republican Mike Rogers instead of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate contest. The segment, which aired on "Anderson Cooper 360," lasted approximately 15 minutes and has since drawn intense backlash from Democratic voters and activists.

Cooper opened the discussion by referencing a claim from Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell, who said she spoke with Stevens at midnight and was told that Stevens would not endorse Rogers. Cooper pressed Stevens on what had changed since that conversation. Stevens did not provide a direct answer, instead stating that El-Sayed has grown "angrier and angrier" and describing her endorsement of Rogers as a relief. She repeated that characterization but avoided addressing the specific question even after Cooper asked multiple times, "What changed?"

Cooper then shifted tactics, noting that El-Sayed had acknowledged disagreement with an advertisement alleged to be anti-Semitic that was funded by an outside group supporting his campaign. Cooper pointed out that this was precisely the kind of response Stevens had sought from El-Sayed, and asked why she nonetheless chose to back Rogers. The line of questioning did not alter the tone of the exchange, and the two continued to spar for the remainder of the interview. Cooper was unable to obtain a definitive explanation from Stevens.

The interview has intensified criticism of Stevens within Democratic circles, where her support for a Republican candidate in a key Senate race has made her a polarizing figure. The appearance was reported by TMZ.com on November 2, 2026, at 6:37 AM PST.