Key takeaways:
- Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn a Rebellion PAC ad she described as antisemitic; his campaign said it was not affiliated with the ad.
- El-Sayed accused Stevens of relitigating their Democratic primary and said his campaign remained focused on affordability and health care.
- Stevens and El-Sayed were expected to appear Sunday with Rep. Jim Clyburn, but it was unclear whether the dispute would affect the event.
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and former primary rival Rep. Haley Stevens traded sharp statements Friday, casting uncertainty over a planned joint appearance days before voters choose between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers.
Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn an ad from Rebellion PAC, an outside group unaffiliated with his campaign, that she described as antisemitic. Set in a grocery store, the ad shows a couple putting back a carton of eggs because, one says, “we have to set that $7 aside for killing Palestinians.” They then discuss U.S. military support for Israel.
“This ad tells Michigan families they cannot afford groceries because their money has to be set aside for ‘killing Palestinians,’ and it blames our close ally Israel for everything Michiganders cannot afford,” Stevens said. She also demanded an apology for what she said was El-Sayed’s suggestion during the campaign that “Israel is the reason Michigan cannot afford schools, health care, and child care.”
“Abdul promises to get money out of politics,” Stevens said. “He can begin by getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford.” She also urged him to remove one of his own ads featuring Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host and right-wing commentator.
El-Sayed’s campaign said earlier in the week that it was not affiliated “in any way” with the Rebellion PAC ad. “No one speaks for Abdul but himself and his campaign,” it said.
Responding Friday, El-Sayed said Stevens “seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago.” He said his campaign was focused on affordability and health care, adding: “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.” AIPAC is a pro-Israel lobbying group that supported Stevens in the primary, NBC News reported.
El-Sayed, a vocal critic of U.S. aid to Israel, defeated the more moderate Stevens in an August primary. She endorsed him afterward, but the two have rarely campaigned together. They were expected to appear Sunday at a Detroit church with South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. Stevens said she planned to attend; an announcement from El-Sayed’s campaign about his appearance with Clyburn did not mention her. It remained unclear whether Friday’s exchange would change those plans.
The dispute also follows differing signals from Stevens’ household. Her fiancé, Jason Turkish, told The Detroit News that he would vote for Rogers. Stevens subsequently told CNN she would vote for El-Sayed and the Democratic ticket, while urging his campaign “to shut out the hate and to call it out.”
Other Michigan Democrats responded Friday. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow told CNN, “I have no idea what the hell Haley Stevens is doing.” Rep. Debbie Dingell, who said she helped arrange Sunday’s event, sought to downplay the conflict, saying the discussion should instead focus on Washington.
Voters are due to decide the Senate race four days after Friday’s exchange. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up.
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