Michigan Democrats Split as El-Sayed Asks Stevens to Stay Away From Campaign Events Days Before Senate Vote

Abdul El-Sayed's campaign asked Representative Haley Stevens to stay away from remaining joint events in the final days before Michigan's Senate election. The request came after Stevens publicly demanded that El-Sayed apologise for comments linking U.S. aid to Israel with domestic shortfalls in schools, health care and child care, and that he more strongly condemn an outside group's advertisement making a similar claim.

El-Sayed, a progressive who defeated Stevens in the August Democratic primary, won the nomination and received her endorsement. The two appeared together at unity events immediately after the primary but have not campaigned side by side in recent months. On Friday, 30 October, Stevens issued a statement saying she expected an apology and a disavowal of what she called an antisemitic ad from an outside group. El-Sayed responded that Stevens seemed intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago. His campaign then told Stevens to avoid future events so as not to create distractions.

The planned Sunday appearance at a church in Detroit with South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn was among those affected. Representative Debbie Dingell later told reporters she had spoken to Stevens and advised that the joint appearance was not working. Dingell described the tensions as a distraction with nothing to be gained by the two candidates sharing a stage. El-Sayed told reporters he did not want distractions and that most Michiganders care about gas prices, groceries and access to doctors rather than campaign intrigue.

Stevens, a moderate who has supported Israel, has criticised El-Sayed's rhetoric on the issue. She has said a disclaimer that an ad was not produced by his campaign is not the same as a condemnation. El-Sayed's campaign has stated he is not affiliated with the Rebellion PAC that ran the grocery-price advertisement and that he does not agree with its contents. AIPAC spent heavily against El-Sayed in the primary. Stevens's fiancé has campaigned for the Republican nominee, Mike Rogers.

The public exchange arrives with the election four days away. Polls have shown a competitive race between El-Sayed and Rogers. Republican strategists noted the Democratic friction. Rogers said he would welcome Stevens at his own events if she chose to appear. Democratic leaders including former President Barack Obama have campaigned for El-Sayed. The open dispute returns attention to the primary divide over foreign policy and domestic spending priorities at a moment when both parties are trying to mobilise voters in a state that can affect control of the Senate.

El-Sayed has focused his closing message on economic pressures facing Michigan households. Stevens has continued to raise concerns about the tone of some progressive messaging on Israel. The two sides have not reconciled the difference in the final weekend. The episode leaves the Democratic ticket in Michigan without a visible show of unity between the nominee and the runner-up from the primary.

Voters will decide the race on 3 November. The outcome will turn on turnout among the state's mix of progressive, moderate and independent voters. The public split has given Republicans an additional line of attack in the closing days, while Democrats must decide whether the disagreement over Israel and campaign rhetoric will reduce participation or remain a secondary issue for most residents.