U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary for the Michigan Senate seat to Abdul El-Sayed, appeared with Republican candidate Mike Rogers at a Detroit church on Sunday, days before the general election. Stevens had been uninvited from a joint appearance with El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee, at the same church event.
The intraparty tensions surfaced after Stevens expressed criticism of El-Sayed’s comments regarding Israel. Her fiancé publicly stated he would vote for Rogers, citing concerns about El-Sayed’s engagement with the Jewish community. Stevens later released a statement saying, “Abdul promises to get money out of politics. He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford.”
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, who helped organize the initial joint appearance in an effort to unify Democrats, stated she asked Stevens not to attend the event. Dingell explained the decision was made because the situation had become "way too distracting" and was detracting from the church service itself.
The Democratic primary in Michigan was marked by significant internal conflict. El-Sayed, a former Michigan public health official, faces Rogers, a former congressman, for the seat vacated by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Control of this seat is seen as crucial for the Democratic party's efforts to secure a Senate majority.
Stevens had previously pledged to support El-Sayed after the primary, but the two have not appeared together publicly since a unity breakfast shortly after his victory. Concerns from some Jewish voters and leaders regarding El-Sayed’s past rhetoric and campaign appearances have persisted.
In the lead-up to the general election, Democrats are focused on increasing turnout, particularly among Black and Jewish voters in key areas like Wayne County, which includes Detroit. El-Sayed would be the first Muslim senator if elected.
Stevens' fiancé's public declaration of support for Rogers, followed by Stevens' appearance on CNN reaffirming her support for El-Sayed while urging his campaign to condemn negative rhetoric, highlighted the ongoing divisions. El-Sayed has maintained that an advertisement criticizing his stance on Israel was not produced by his campaign and that he disagrees with its content.
Despite the discord, El-Sayed proceeded with planned church visits on Sunday alongside prominent Black Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, in an effort to galvanize voters in Detroit.