Haley Stevens rebuffed a supporter who told her to "kick that Muslim's butt" in reference to Democratic rival Abdul El‑Sayed outside Fellowship Chapel in Detroit. Stevens said such language "isn't what my campaign is about" and praised Michigan's Lebanese and Yemeni communities. The incident came two days before the Aug. 4 primary; The New York Times tracker showed El‑Sayed leading in 17 of 32 polls. El‑Sayed has faced media scrutiny for past remarks on Israel and comments after reports involving Ali Khamenei.
Haley Stevens Rebukes Islamophobic Remark Outside Detroit Church Ahead Of Primary
(Photos via: @Haleybooyah on Instagram and Zeteo)
Michigan Senate candidate Haley Stevens on Sunday rejected an Islamophobic comment from a supporter who told her to "kick that Muslim's butt" in reference to fellow Democrat Abdul El‑Sayed. The exchange took place as Stevens arrived for Sunday service at Fellowship Chapel in Detroit and was reported by The Detroit News.
According to reporter Grant Schwab, a parishioner shouted as Stevens walked in:
"Miss Stevens, we know you're gonna kick that Muslim's butt."Stevens attempted to deflect the remark, replying, "You know what, we're here for Michigan." The man persisted from his car in the church parking lot: "I know you are. But I don't know about him."
Speaking to The Detroit News immediately after the encounter, Stevens said she did not want her campaign defined by that language. "Look, that's not what my campaign is about. It is about what I just said to him. It's about Michigan," she told the reporter. She added that she was proud of "the rich diversity in this state," mentioning Michigan's Lebanese American and Yemeni communities.
The brief episode unfolded two days before Michigan's Democratic primary on August 4. According to The New York Times polling tracker, El‑Sayed led in 17 of 32 tracked polls while Stevens led in 11.
El‑Sayed has been a frequent presence on cable news in recent months and has faced scrutiny for several past remarks. Reporters pressed him in a CNN segment about a comment that "a lot of people were upset" shortly after reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been said to be killed, and he drew criticism earlier for an April interview in which he said Israel was "as evil as" Hamas.
This exchange at Fellowship Chapel and Stevens's public response have become part of the closing days of a competitive Democratic primary for the Michigan seat.
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