Haley Stevens Casts House Votes From Republican Cloakroom

Stevens cast votes on two bills when the House returned to session on Monday, November 9, after the midterm elections. She was not seen by reporters during the vote series, but House clerk records showed she had voted yes on both measures. She spent the voting session in the Republican cloakroom, a private lounge beside the House floor normally used by Republican lawmakers.

Stevens’ GOP Cloakroom Votes Follow a Party-Breaking Endorsement

Haley Stevens returned to the Capitol after breaking with Democrats in a closely watched Senate race, and cast two House votes from the Republican cloakroom. The Michigan Democrat had endorsed Republican Mike Rogers shortly before Election Day, despite having lost the Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, who went on to defeat Rogers.

Her endorsement brought condemnation from senior Democrats and prompted several staffers to resign. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “despicable betrayal,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described it as a poor choice and said the party would discuss next steps. The episode has left Stevens facing scrutiny from the party whose voters she had sought to represent in the Senate race.

Stevens has defended her choice, citing disagreements with El-Sayed and saying his campaign had frozen her out. She also said party loyalty should not override her judgment. Because she ran for the Senate, she cannot seek reelection to her House seat and is expected to serve the rest of her term before new lawmakers are sworn in in January.

Democrats’ Stevens Backlash Puts Party Loyalty on Display

The backlash against Haley Stevens has become a test of how much room Democrats allow for dissent. The Michigan representative endorsed Republican Mike Rogers shortly before Election Day, after losing the Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, who ultimately beat Rogers.

Stevens has said she disagreed with El-Sayed and that his campaign froze her out. She argued that party loyalty should not require abandoning personal values or judgment. Yet senior Democrats condemned her decision: Chuck Schumer called it a “despicable betrayal,” and Hakeem Jeffries said the party would consider appropriate next steps. Several members of Stevens’ staff resigned.

On Monday, November 9, Stevens cast yes votes on two House bills while spending the voting session in the Republican cloakroom, a private space beside the House floor. She was not seen by reporters during the vote series. Having run for the Senate, Stevens cannot seek reelection to her House seat and will serve the remainder of her term before the next group of lawmakers takes office in January.