El-Sayed and Stevens feud threatens Michigan Democratic unity before election

Four days before voters head to the polls in Michigan, the Democratic Party is tearing itself apart. The feud between Abdul El-Sayed and former primary rival Haley Stevens has erupted into a vicious public sniping match over a controversial "anti-Israel" television ad. This internal chaos threatens to derail what analysts called a "blue tsunami," potentially reducing it to a mere ripple in a state Donald Trump won two years ago.

The tension exploded on Wednesday when Jason Turkish, Stevens' fiancé, told The Detroit News he would cast his ballot for Republican challenger Mike Rogers. Hours later, Stevens appeared on CNN to clarify her own position. She confirmed she would vote for El-Sayed but demanded the campaign "shut out the hate and call it out." Her message was clear: El-Sayed must reach out to the voters who backed her coalition and make them feel comfortable returning to the polls.

For a brief moment, peace seemed possible. On Thursday, the two Democrats appeared to reconcile, scheduling a joint Sunday campaign event in Detroit alongside South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn. Clyburn, a heavyweight figure who was instrumental in Joe Biden’s 2020 primary victory, lends significant weight to any gathering. But that truce lasted less than twenty-four hours.

On Friday, Stevens dropped a lengthy social media statement attacking her former rival. She demanded El-Sayed condemn an advertisement linking US support for Israel to soaring grocery prices. The spot was run by leftist commentator Cenk Uygur, who is also the uncle of streamer Hasan Piker. Piker previously campaigned with El-Sayed, a connection that surprised many when the progressive narrowly defeated the more moderate Stevens in the August primary.

The ad featured jarring conversations inside a grocery store. One clip shows a woman telling a man she cannot afford eggs because they had to use that money "killing Palestinians." El-Sayed’s campaign quickly distanced itself, noting the ad was neither made nor endorsed by them. They insisted their focus remains on the critical challenges Michiganders face.

Stevens, however, pressed the point with sharp irony in her Friday statement. "Abdul promises to get money out of politics," she wrote. "He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford."

El-Sayed has previously apologized for certain past comments while trying to unify the party. But in a Friday statement, he touted his primary victory over Stevens and told her to stop "relitigating" the race. "Let's all focus on the task at hand: beating Mike Rogers," he said.

The rift is widening. A source from El-Sayed’s campaign told Politico that they are asking Stevens not to attend future events, arguing her presence would distract from the central issues. The frustration is palpable even among allies. Mallory McMorrow, who dropped out of the nomination race to endorse El-Sayed, reacted with disbelief. "I have no idea what the hell Haley Stevens is doing," she exclaimed.

The stakes are high. That is the reality of this moment.

On Friday, Stevens fired back with a lengthy social media post. She demanded El-Sayed condemn a specific advertisement. That ad links US support for Israel to soaring grocery prices. She also pressed him to address his past rhetoric.

One source, not working for El-Sayed's team, described the situation sharply. "Every Democrat was singing the same tune but now, because one person is tone deaf, the whole choir is thrown off," the source said regarding Stevens.

Rogers, who has spent weeks courting Jewish Democratic voters, sided with Stevens. He called her a courageous leader deserving respect from every Michigan voter. On X, Rogers wrote that Stevens was "absolutely right to call" on El-Sayed to denounce the ad. He added that El-Sayed's response is shameful and disappointing. It shows he does not care about those concerns.

President Donald Trump was far more blunt. Speaking at a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday, he targeted voters directly. "If you're Black, or if you're Jewish, and you vote for Abdul, you're not smart," he said.

The race is tight. RealClearPolitics polling averages show El-Sayed leading Rogers by five points. Michigan hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1994. Yet Trump won the state in both 2016 and 2024.

Republicans face their own headaches. Voter dissatisfaction with Trump, the Iran war, and high costs loom large.

El-Sayed is battling former Congressman Mike Rogers for the open Michigan Senate seat. Rogers has stayed closely aligned with the president on most issues. He appeared alongside Trump at a Michigan rally Sunday. There, he credited Trump with bringing manufacturing jobs back to the state.

The rally took place in Port Huron. That city sits just across the river from Canada. A country with deep economic ties to Michigan. One that Trump has targeted with tariffs.

El-Sayed is playing the long game. He has held events in heavily Republican areas, including Michigan's Upper Peninsula. His team released an ad featuring clips of prominent conservative figures praising him. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson appears in it. Carlson has faced accusations of antisemitism that he denies.

But that ad created friction with some Jewish voters.

Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield criticized both the Rebellion PAC ad and El-Sayed's campaign ad during a call with reporters. "We are one week away from the election, and it feels like the temperature has turned way up," Starr said. "Instead of things getting better over the last seven weeks, they've actually gotten worse."

Trump has repeatedly attacked El-Sayed's Muslim faith. He called him a "jihadist." On Sunday, he said El-Sayed was "on the side of terrorists."

Both candidates are scrambling to win over Black voters. Detroit's Wayne County is the battleground. That is where Stevens defeated El-Sayed in the Democratic primary.

El-Sayed's event with Clyburn is part of an effort to shore up support among Black voters. Much of his final campaign stretch has included appearances in Detroit.

Rogers is making similar moves. He visited a reading remediation program at a Detroit high school. He discussed housing costs with residents in Pontiac, north of the city. Earlier this month, his wife handed out $10 gift cards at a gas station.

El-Sayed and Stevens last appeared together on Aug. 6. That was two days after the primary. Stevens pledged to support El-Sayed. She told CBS News she would do "whatever he wants me to do" on the campaign trail.

But divisions from the contentious primary have persisted.

The campaign war chest swelled to nearly $60 million in attacks against El-Sayed. AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, bankrolled half of that total. Their check was worth $30 million. Stevens stands firm as a proponent of Israel. He represents a Detroit suburb district with a significant Jewish population. On Sunday, he visited a local church. The move aimed to forge that hard-to-reach unity. Yet, will it matter? The visit lands two days before the vote. Michigan’s early voting kicked off on October 24.