Michigan Democrats clash as El-Sayed asks Stevens to skip final campaign events

Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, asked former primary opponent Haley Stevens to stay away from his final campaign events. Stevens had demanded that El-Sayed condemn an outside group’s advertisement targeting Black voters and apologise for comments he made about Israel. El-Sayed replied that Stevens appeared intent on relitigating their primary contest.

The exchange occurred in the final days before the November 3 midterm elections. Michigan’s Senate race is one of several contests that will determine control of the chamber. El-Sayed, a physician, has positioned himself as the left-leaning option after winning the primary. Stevens, a former representative, finished second and has continued to criticise his record on foreign policy and outside spending.

An advertisement from an outside group has sought to reduce Black support for El-Sayed. The group’s ties have drawn scrutiny because a public-relations firm involved was previously criticised for practices during the Flint water crisis. El-Sayed has not issued the apology Stevens requested. Instead he has focused on turnout operations and closing arguments that emphasise economic issues and health care.

Democratic leaders have tried to present a united front nationally, yet the Michigan episode shows residual friction from the primary. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has campaigned in other battlegrounds, including Virginia, while the Michigan Senate contest remains contested. Early voting has already passed 51 million ballots nationwide, higher than the same point in the previous midterm cycle.

The outcome in Michigan will affect the balance of the Senate. Republicans hold the White House and will need to defend or expand their margin. Democrats view the seat as part of a map that also includes toss-up races in Maine, Ohio and Texas. El-Sayed’s request that Stevens remain absent removes one potential joint appearance in the final 72 hours. Whether the request narrows or widens the gap between the two camps will become clearer once the votes are counted.

Campaign filings show both candidates have raised substantial sums. Outside groups have spent millions on the race. The public exchange between El-Sayed and Stevens is the clearest sign yet that primary divisions have not fully healed before Election Day. Voters in Michigan will decide the seat on November 3, with results expected that night or the following morning depending on mail-ballot processing.