Haley Stevens urged to avoid Abdul El‑Sayed events amid intra‑Democratic clash
The Michigan Senate race is heating up as the Democratic nominee asks a former rival to stay away from his campaign rallies.
Democratic nominee Abdul El‑Sayed warned Congresswoman Haley Stevens to stay away from his campaign events, saying he wants “no distractions,” according to a statement made after a rally reported by the New York Times.
The two had originally planned to appear together on Sunday at a Detroit church service, but Rep. Debbie Dingell later told CNN she had spoken with Stevens and said, “This isn’t working.” Dingell added that the tension between the two was a distraction and that “there’s nothing to be gained by the two of them being in the same place.”
El‑Sayed, described as progressive, defeated the more moderate Stevens in a bitter primary and later received her endorsement after the August primary. Despite the endorsement, Stevens had avoided public appearances with her former opponent, whom she has publicly criticized for weeks.
Two days before the scheduled joint appearance, Stevens demanded that El‑Sayed denounce an outside group’s ad blaming higher prices on U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza. El‑Sayed responded that “Congresswoman Stevens seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago,” and noted heavy spending by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee against him in the primary.
In his statement, El‑Sayed urged focus on beating Republican Mike Rogers, holding former President Trump accountable, and advancing policies such as Medicare for All.
The open feud has alarmed other Democrats. Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow told CNN, “I have no idea what the hell Haley Stevens is doing,” emphasizing that the stakes involve “the price of gas and groceries,” not internal squabbles.
The dispute highlights intra‑party tension in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races, a race Democrats view as essential to regaining control of the chamber.
