Rep. Haley Stevens sharply rebuked primary rival Abdul El‑Sayed after sharing a clip in which he appears to taunt AIPAC. Stevens accused El‑Sayed of wanting to "blame all of your problems on Jewish Americans" and pointed to his 2018 defeat to Gretchen Whitmer. She contrasted that criticism with policy promises to lower grocery costs, ban lawmakers from trading stocks, curb abuses by former President Trump, and protect Michigan manufacturing. The exchange highlights broader Democratic concerns about electability ahead of the August 4 primary.
Stevens Fires Back at El‑Sayed, Accuses Him of ‘Blaming’ Jewish Americans Ahead of Michigan Primary
(AP Photo/Kristen Norman)
Rep. Haley Stevens (D‑Mich.) escalated her criticism of progressive rival Abdul El‑Sayed this week as the Democratic primary for the open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan heads into its final days.
El‑Sayed leads Stevens in recent polls ahead of the August 4 primary, raising concerns among party officials about his general‑election prospects in a state President Donald Trump carried in 2024.
On Thursday night, Stevens posted a clip of El‑Sayed speaking with a YouTuber in which he appears to taunt AIPAC:
"You know when AIPAC watches this, come for me! See what happens, come for me! You picked [Haley Stevens], the least capable candidate in America."
Stevens responded directly to the clip:
"Abdul, we were both on the ballot in 2018. I was capable of winning my competitive primary and general election. You lost."
She added:
"You lost by over twenty points to Gretchen Whitmer and you will lose to Mike Rogers by talking like this."
Stevens went further, accusing El‑Sayed of trying to scapegoat Jewish Americans:
"Everyone in America understands you want to blame all of your problems on Jewish Americans."
She contrasted that accusation with a list of policy priorities she says will address voters' concerns: lowering grocery costs, banning stock trading for elected officials, stopping abuses by former President Trump, and protecting Michigan manufacturing.
Stevens also dismissed what she portrayed as El‑Sayed's likely post‑campaign persona: "You'd just be a celebrity whining and writing books to get even richer — part of the complainer class looking for their next book or podcast deal." She closed the exchange with a direct appeal: "Bro, I just want to work for Michigan."
Why This Matters
The exchange underscores intra‑party tensions as Democrats weigh electability in a state that flipped Republican in 2024. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed Stevens, while former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is the presumptive Republican nominee — a matchup Democrats fear could be difficult if El‑Sayed is the nominee.
The race will test whether progressive energy or establishment concerns about swing‑state electability carry more weight with Michigan Democrats on August 4.
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