AMNA NAWAZ: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens' decision to back Republican Mike Rogers in the U.S.

Senate race has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party.

For more on the shifting dynamics in the Senate race, Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joins me now.

Congresswoman, it's good to see you.

Thanks for joining us.

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL (D-MI): Thank you.

It's good to be with you.

Twenty-four hours.

We're going to be done in another day.

AMNA NAWAZ: Another day, but, in the meantime, there's some big headlines today, as we just noted.

You have said that you spoke with Haley Stevens multiple times over the last week.

She told you she would not endorse Mike Rogers, and then she did.

I'm sure you have seen in some of her latest interviews.

She said she did it because she believes Rogers loves this country.

From your conversations with her, does this explanation make sense to you?

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL: I was stunned when it happened on Sunday.

Haley is a human being.

She's gone through a very difficult race in the primary.

I don't know what changed or why she did do this.

And I think this has become a -- has been and continues to be a huge distraction from what the issues are when people go to the polls tomorrow.

AMNA NAWAZ: Congresswoman, no doubt the economy cost of living remains the number one issue, but this is a key state that Democrats need to win.

And, as you mentioned, it was a very tight primary race, a very heated and divisive primary race there.

We know this issue of the U.S.

approach and policy towards Israel deeply divided these two candidates in Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed.

Stevens is a stalwart supporter of the state.

El-Sayed has sharply criticized the state.

I mean, it's fair to say your party has not dealt with this issue.

How do you reckon with that?

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL: The hate that we have seen in this state for the last few months, the ads on all sides are despicable.

They are full of hate.

They have contributed to pitting people in Michigan against each other, and they're unacceptable, and I condemn every last one of these negative ads.

The Jewish community has always been important that I hear them, that I talk to them, that I understand what they're saying, because I lived in Dearborn for 30 years.

And Arab American and Muslims were my next-door neighbors.

They were my friends.

And yet I had lunch with a group of Arab American leaders on Saturday.

You should have heard the fear in their voice of what -- they want Abdul to win, but they're afraid of the violence that could be directed at them.

Everybody deserves, no matter what their faith is, no matter what their cultural background is, to live in this country feeling safe and to be treated with respect and with dignity.

AMNA NAWAZ: Congresswoman, as it relates to this Senate race, though, which is Democrats' fight for control of the Senate, is critical for your party, are you worried that Haley Stevens endorsing the Republican means voters who were unsure about El-Sayed feel they have permission to vote for the Republican too?

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL: You know, I was trying to figure this out when it just happened.

I did feel on Saturday that this is leaning towards Abdul.

It's going to be a tight race.

But as I was out yesterday, NAACP, the UAW disability dinner, canvasses, this put a lot of energy into people.

You saw several members of our congressional delegation put out strong statements of support for Abdul.

AMNA NAWAZ: You think this has tipped the race in El-Sayed's favor?

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL: I do.

I think it's backfiring.

AMNA NAWAZ: Well, let me ask you then before I let you go.

Democrats say that it is a big tent party.

Is there room for someone like Haley Stevens in the Democratic Party?

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL: Haley has hurt herself with many Democrats.

And I think there are people that can -- that have strong feelings and need to be part of the Democratic Party.

But I think the way that this was handled has left many people upset, not thinking that they can trust her.

It's just been a very difficult weekend.

AMNA NAWAZ: That's Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joining us today.

Congresswoman, we know it's a busy day for you.

Thank you for making the time.

REP.

DEBBIE DINGELL: Thank you.