Less than 48 hours before Election Day, Democratic Representative Haley Stevens made a surprising move by endorsing Republican candidate Mike Rogers for Michigan's open Senate seat. This defection marks a significant break with her party and follows weeks of deteriorating relations with the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. In her endorsement, Stevens pointed to El-Sayed's ties to political streamer Hasan Piker, whose controversial remarks regarding Jewish people and Israel sparked backlash in August. Although El-Sayed attempted to distance himself from the controversy, Stevens criticized him for failing to adequately reassure Black and Jewish voters who had supported her during the primary.
The endorsement has triggered a wave of turmoil within the Michigan Democratic Party. Stevens' longtime chief of staff and numerous other staff members have resigned, while the state party chair announced that Stevens is no longer a member. NPR's Sam Gringlas notes that while this drama may not sway late deciders, it exposes deepening fault lines within the party concerning its future identity and stance on Israel. Many Democrats are now rallying behind El-Sayed despite the internal anger, even as questions linger about the party's direction heading into the 2028 presidential nomination cycle.
On the international front, Gulf states are bracing for a potential U.S. attack on Iran following tomorrow's elections. President Trump has discussed bombing Iran again with Israel and stated that while key components of Iran's military have been neutralized, a few targets remain. Qatar has been leading tight-lipped negotiations over the past 72 hours to prevent further fighting. Iran reportedly has a two-day plan to stop attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks with the U.S., contingent on the American response. Regional partners fear that further conflict could destabilize the area and disrupt global energy supplies.
In other developments, the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding whether religious schools can refuse admission to children of gay and trans parents under Colorado's taxpayer-funded pre-K programs. This case challenges state laws against discrimination and highlights a shift in the court's focus toward First Amendment protections for religious freedom. Additionally, Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke but is expected to make a full recovery. In financial news, hackers linked to North Korea stole over $6 billion from Binance, while major oil companies reported combined profits exceeding $36 billion as the war in Iran drives up gas prices.
Sources: NPR News.