Stevens’ Rogers Endorsement Spurs El-Sayed Fundraising Surge
Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign said it collected $2.4 million on Sunday, a single-day record for the Michigan Democrat as the Senate race entered its final stretch. More than 65,000 donors contributed, averaging $36.74, and nearly 29,600 were first-time donors. The campaign said it had raised $1.2 million within hours of Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers.
Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the August Democratic primary, announced her support for Republican Mike Rogers in a social media video. She said she could not back El-Sayed, citing his support from political streamer Hasan Piker. The endorsement followed a dispute over an ad from Rebellion PAC that linked aid to Israel with higher grocery prices. El-Sayed said he disagreed with the ad’s contents, and later said he did not want Stevens at a campaign event if the disagreement would distract from the race.
Democratic leaders condemned Stevens’ move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the move as a betrayal, while Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said it conflicted with party values. Some House Democrats called for Stevens to be removed from party caucuses. Several members of her staff resigned after the endorsement.
Rogers praised Stevens for supporting his campaign. El-Sayed said he was concentrating on voters and his campaign’s affordability and health-care messages. The election is scheduled for November 3.
Stevens’ Endorsement of Rogers Strengthens El-Sayed’s Campaign
The reaction to Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers was swift: Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign said it brought in $2.4 million Sunday, its best single day. More than 65,000 donors gave, including nearly 29,600 first-time contributors. The campaign said donations reached $1.2 million within hours of Stevens’ announcement.
Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August, said she could not support him, pointing to his backing from streamer Hasan Piker. Her decision came after a clash over a Rebellion PAC ad connecting Israel aid with higher grocery prices. El-Sayed said he disagreed with the ad, and did not want Stevens at a campaign event if the dispute would pull attention from the race.
Democratic leaders denounced Stevens’ choice. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the move as a betrayal, and Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said it ran against party values. Some House Democrats urged that Stevens be removed from party caucuses; several of her staff members resigned after she endorsed Rogers.
Rogers praised Stevens, while El-Sayed said he would focus on voters and his affordability and health-care agenda. The episode puts the stakes of the November 3 contest in sharp relief: Stevens has chosen to help the Republican rather than support her party’s nominee, while Democrats are rallying behind El-Sayed.
Democratic Infighting Delivers Record Cash for El-Sayed
A party dispute that could have derailed Abdul El-Sayed’s final campaign days instead preceded a record fundraising haul. His campaign said Sunday’s $2.4 million came from more than 65,000 donors, with almost 29,600 giving for the first time. It said the total reached $1.2 million within hours of Haley Stevens’ backing of Mike Rogers.
Stevens, a Democrat who lost to El-Sayed in the August primary, said she could not support the nominee, citing his backing from streamer Hasan Piker. She had also pressed El-Sayed to reject a Rebellion PAC ad tying Israel aid to grocery prices. El-Sayed said he disagreed with the ad’s content and did not want Stevens at a campaign event if the dispute became a distraction.
Democratic leaders responded by condemning Stevens. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described her backing as a betrayal, and Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said it was out of step with party values. Some House Democrats called for her removal from party caucuses, and several of her staff members resigned.
Rogers praised Stevens for backing his campaign. El-Sayed, meanwhile, said he was focused on voters, affordability and health care. The fundraising surge gives the Democratic nominee a strong final push, but the episode also exposes how sharply divided his party has become before the November 3 election.
Reported by The Daily Beast, Fox News, The Daily Caller, Daily Mail US.
