El-Sayed and Stevens Clash Before Planned Detroit Campaign Event
Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed, said she expected him to apologize for comments about Israel, condemn an ad by an outside political group and remove a campaign ad featuring Tucker Carlson. The outside-group ad depicted a couple discussing the cost of groceries and the killing of Palestinians, drawing accusations that it was antisemitic.
El-Sayed replied that Stevens seemed intent on reopening a primary that had ended three months earlier. The exchange came as the pair were preparing for a Sunday campaign appearance at a Detroit church with Rep. James Clyburn. Rep. Debbie Dingell had helped arrange the gathering, described by Stevens as a “souls to the polls” event.
On October 31, El-Sayed’s campaign was said to be seeking Stevens’ absence from all remaining campaign events. The dispute added strain to the final days of a Senate race that could affect control of the chamber.
Democratic Infighting Threatens Unity Before Michigan Senate Race
With control of the Senate at stake, Democrats need to focus on defeating Republican Mike Rogers—not intensify a public fight among themselves. Yet Stevens, who lost the primary to El-Sayed, demanded that he apologize for comments about Israel, condemn an outside-group ad and pull a campaign ad featuring Tucker Carlson.
El-Sayed pushed back, saying Stevens appeared to be reopening a primary that ended three months earlier. Their disagreement threatened a Sunday Detroit church appearance with Rep. James Clyburn, an effort arranged by Rep. Debbie Dingell to bring the former rivals together. Stevens had framed it as a “souls to the polls” event.
The outside-group ad drew accusations of antisemitism, but the dispute also risks diverting attention from the general election. On October 31, El-Sayed’s campaign was said to be asking Stevens to stay away from future campaign events. Publicly escalating demands and counterattacks only deepen the division Democrats need to overcome before Election Day.
El-Sayed’s Refusal to Address Antisemitism Deepens Democratic Rift
Democratic unity cannot mean looking away when a nominee is pressed to confront an ad accused of antisemitism. Rep. Haley Stevens asked Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to condemn the outside-group spot, apologize for comments about Israel and take down a campaign ad featuring Tucker Carlson. His response focused on accusing Stevens of relitigating their primary, rather than addressing her demands.
The controversy erupted just as Stevens and El-Sayed were expected to appear together at a Sunday church event in Detroit with Rep. James Clyburn. Rep. Debbie Dingell had helped arrange the gathering. Stevens, who lost the primary, had said she expected an apology and repudiation of the ad.
The clash exposes the cost of a campaign that cannot settle a basic question about antisemitism before turning to voters. On October 31, El-Sayed’s campaign was said to be asking Stevens to avoid future events. The dispute adds turbulence to a Senate race that could determine control of the chamber.
Reported by Twitchy, Townhall.
