Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed asked U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens to skip all remaining campaign events ahead of Tuesday’s election following a bitter clash over Israel, an outside progressive ad, and primary tensions.
Michigan’s high-stakes Senate race hit a turbulent milestone on Friday, fracturing a fragile Democratic coalition just days before voters decide control of the chamber. What was meant to be a show of unity between former primary rivals Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens dissolved into dueling public statements and an eleventh-hour demand for distance.
On the eve of the eve of the eve of our BIG and important election, a unifying moment has arrived, our democratic nominee for U.S Senate disavows the Rebellion PAC ad made by Hasan Piker’s uncle that claims Jews are responsible for America’s economic woes. We have learned from… pic.twitter.com/y8BRiV9odX
— https://x.com/HaleyforMI/status/2116161977256980989
El-Sayed’s campaign asked Stevens to steer clear of any upcoming campaign events as voters head to the polls on Tuesday. The request came after Stevens released a lengthy statement criticizing El-Sayed and setting conditions for a planned joint appearance at a Detroit church with South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn.
The Clash Over an Outside Ad and Campaign Rhetoric
The rift erupted over a digital advertisement produced by Rebellion PAC, an outside progressive group not affiliated with El-Sayed’s campaign. The commercial features a couple in a grocery store discussing "needing to put a carton of eggs back on the shelf because we have to set that $7 aside for killing Palestinians."
Stevens, a strong supporter of Israel, demanded that El-Sayed formally condemn the ad as antisemitic. She argued that the commercial merely dramatized arguments El-Sayed had made throughout the campaign. In her statement, Stevens called on him to apologize for suggesting that Israel is the reason Michigan cannot afford schools, health care, and child care
and urged him to take down his own campaign ad featuring conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson.
Abdul promises to get money out of politics,. He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford.
Rep. Haley Stevens, via NBC News
El-Sayed’s campaign previously distanced itself from Rebellion PAC, stating that no one speaks for the candidate except his own team. Responding to Stevens on Friday evening, El-Sayed defended his campaign’s focus and dismissed her demands.
New @RebellionPac ad dropping in Michigan. We have to suffer here at home, so Israel can get all its wars. That’s why they buy politicians like Mike Rogers. He promised to serve Israel “unconditionally,” but never made that promise to you. pic.twitter.com/mtgVOyNczg
— https://x.com/cenkuygur/status/2113799606299758984
That focus is why our people-powered campaign defeated a historic $70M in outside spending from big corporations and AIPAC on behalf of Congresswoman Stevens.
Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate Nominee, via NBC News
El-Sayed added that Stevens seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago,
pointing instead toward the general election contest against Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
Democratic Infighting and Fallout Across the Political Spectrum
The public clash drew immediate reactions from across the political landscape. CNN political commentator Mike Murphy characterized the episode as an 11th Hour Shakespearean train wreck,
while former Obama adviser David Axelrod suggested on CNN that Stevens’ remarks seemed aimed at undermining El-Sayed’s campaign and potentially paving the way for an endorsement of Rogers.
Republican commentator Scott Jennings argued during a CNN interview that El-Sayed’s refusal to disavow the ad could hurt Democrats among voters concerned about antisemitism. Meanwhile, Mike Rogers praised Stevens on X, calling her a courageous leader who deserved respect for challenging El-Sayed’s rhetoric.
Other Democrats voiced frustration with the timing of the dispute. Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow criticized the infighting during an appearance on CNN’s “The Arena”, stating that the party needed to recognize the broader stakes of the election. Rep. Debbie Dingell sought to downplay the tension, emphasizing that party figures remained focused on securing a victory on Tuesday.
pic.twitter.com/NEd1uijz11
— https://x.com/AbdulElSayed/status/2116292933133668398
Polling, Early Voting, and What Remains Unclear
The feud comes as Michigan voters participate heavily in early voting. According to the Michigan Secretary of State, more than 1.85 million ballots had been cast by Friday. Polling averages show a tight race, with El-Sayed holding a 49.1 percent to 45.6 percent advantage over Rogers, while nonpartisan forecaster Decision Desk HQ gives El-Sayed a 73 percent chance of retaining the seat for Democrats.
Uncertainty surrounds Sunday’s planned church appearance in Detroit alongside Rep. Jim Clyburn. While Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, noted that Stevens would attend if Clyburn requested her presence—having previously announced he intends to vote for Rogers—neither campaign immediately clarified whether El-Sayed and Stevens would appear on the same program following Friday’s mutual rebukes.
McMorrow: "First of all, I have no idea what the hell Haley Stevens is doing. This is a moment where we have to recognize the stakes." pic.twitter.com/dRIqFqZwa9
— https://x.com/atrupar/status/2116277783852716229
More on Abdul El-Sayed
Here is the CNN framing on the El-Sayed/Stevens story pic.twitter.com/6GBQzFugsY
— https://x.com/Acyn/status/2116349912946470926
This is a defining moment for national media. If you see any "reporter" saying @RebellionPac ad blames Jews for price of groceries, that person is lying to you on purpose. It's about Israel and never blames anyone for the price of groceries. This is what propaganda looks like.
— https://x.com/cenkuygur/status/2116194920105123966
#MichiganSenate (Semafor) El-Sayed’s new ad pitch: Republicans love meThe new ad will get a six-figure buy, according to details shared first with Semafor. It features El-Sayed saying that “free speech is under attack, and we should be making America healthy again,” before… pic.twitter.com/Fjpb7ezw8g
— https://x.com/PollTracker2024/status/2113703066864128492
Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign wants Rep. Haley Stevens to stay away from all future campaign events after she demanded he apologize for his criticism of Israel, Politico reports. https://t.co/QB16Dwoo6n pic.twitter.com/97MncUKodo
— https://x.com/dropsitenews/status/2116352729069367725
Related reading