Michigan Senate Primary Candidates Clash Over Policy and Personal Attacks in Final Debate
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Rep. Haley Stevens and former health official Abdul El-Sayed sparred in their last debate, highlighting differences on Israel, immigration and campaign financing as they vie for the Democratic nomination.
Rep. Haley Stevens and former Detroit health official Abdul El-Sayed concluded their final debate on Monday, each positioning themselves as the candidate most likely to win the November Senate race in Michigan, a contest that could affect control of the U.S. Senate. Stevens emphasized her record in a Republican-leaning district and cited Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a key ally, while El-Sayed pledged independence from corporate and foreign interests.
During the hour-long discussion, El-Sayed clarified that a recent comment about “putting an ogre on a pike” referred to Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, not Stevens, and defended himself against a television ad funded by a group linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that he said misrepresented past remarks about former First Lady Michelle Obama and other Michigan politicians. > "I’m the father of two daughters… to say that because I wrote an op-ed 15 years ago I’m disrespecting anybody is just inconsistent with the truth," he said.
Stevens responded that she would not follow AIPAC’s agenda if elected but noted a policy difference on Israel-Palestine, stating her support for a two-state solution. > "He has attacked me by name for purporting that the people of Palestine and the people of Israel deserve to live side by side peacefully," she said.
On immigration, Stevens highlighted her work to curb President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation policies, while El-Sayed called for the abolition of ICE, accusing Democrats of “cowardice” for stopping short of that goal. > "I think we need to abolish ICE because I am not afraid of what they’re going to say about me," he said.
Both candidates also traded personal barbs, with Stevens questioning the need for a “celebrity” candidate and El-Sayed pointing to his record of public-health advocacy and community outreach. The winner will face Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in the November general election, with Democrats needing the seat to pursue a net gain of four Senate seats.