Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race two days before the vote

Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the state's open U.S. Senate seat on Sunday, Nov. 1, backing the GOP nominee over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, CBS News reported.

Stevens lost the Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed earlier this year. In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, she said the decision lifted a weight from her, while also saying she still wants Democrats to win control of the Senate, according to CBS News.

The reaction

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the endorsement despicable, CBS News reported.
• Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Stevens of betraying Michigan families.
• Rep. Debbie Dingell, a fellow Michigan Democrat, said the interview had become a distraction.
• Stevens had been expected at a joint appearance with El-Sayed on Sunday; Cooper raised in the interview that she had been disinvited.

A campaign official told CBS News that El-Sayed raised more than $1.2 million after the endorsement became public. Politico first reported the figure.

Why it matters

Michigan is one of only three Democratic-held seats on CBS News' list of 11 Senate battlegrounds. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, so Democrats cannot afford to lose it if they hope to win a majority.

President Trump has repeatedly attacked El-Sayed on the campaign trail, ABC News reported, including in remarks the network said targeted his Muslim faith.

Polls in Michigan close at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday in most of the state.