DEMOCRAT STEVENS BACKS REPUBLICAN ROGERS

The real news

The story, straight

A primary election chooses a party's candidate. An endorsement is someone publicly recommending a candidate.

Neither comes with a remote control for voters.

Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens lost her party's Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August. On 1 November, she endorsed his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, 2 days before Election Day.

Party unity, apparently, now offers delivery to competing headquarters.

According to the Associated Press, Stevens had previously pledged to support El-Sayed. She was then uninvited from a planned joint appearance with him and Rep. Jim Clyburn.

On Sunday, she appeared alongside Rogers instead.

This was an endorsement across party lines, not an announced switch to the Republican Party. Keep that distinction: backing an opposing candidate and changing your party aren't the same thing.

Lil'meme's imaginary catering assignment: deliver the Democrats' unity cake. Unfortunately, the destination is the Republican table.

The frosting has survived. The concept has not.

The seat belongs to retiring Democrat Gary Peters. The contest could help determine which party controls the Senate.

An endorsement does not establish who will win.

The useful takeaway: compare the candidates' policies rather than outsourcing your judgment to endorsements. A politician can recommend the other team's candidate; the recommendation doesn't fill out anyone else's ballot.

Repost if your party-unity cake also needs a tracking number.

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