Michigan Senate primary narrows as El-Sayed and Stevens spar in final debate
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In their last televised debate, Democratic Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens debated manufacturing policy, campaign finance accusations, and personal attacks, leaving the race extremely close.
Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary entered its final stretch on Monday night as Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens faced off in a televised debate in Southfield. El-Sayed argued that the state should continue to support internal-combustion engine production while also investing in affordable electric vehicles, saying a $25,000, 300-mile range car from the “Big Three” is essential to compete with Chinese manufacturers. He also warned that free-trade policies are harming Michigan’s manufacturing sector and highlighted his endorsement from the United Auto Workers.
Stevens countered that high costs and a trade dispute with Canada are hurting the state’s factories, citing job losses at Cleveland Cliffs and accusing Rep. Mike Rogers of “rubber-stamping” unfavorable policies. She defended her record on manufacturing and pledged to keep utility rates low, warning DTE Energy that continued rate hikes could jeopardize federal funding.
The debate also turned personal. When asked about accusations that he made misogynistic remarks, El-Sayed pointed to a recent tweet urging supporters not to use unkind language toward his opponent and said he had called Stevens after she was booed at a party convention. He blamed “pro-Israel backers” and a group linked to AIPAC for running attack ads against him, emphasizing his family background and stating, "I'm the father of two daughters… I was raised by strong women."
Stevens addressed criticism of her speaking style, noting that she tries to sound like the constituents she serves, and rejected claims that she was taking money from utilities. When pressed about a $40,000 contribution from DTE’s political action committee, she said she had not received any campaign funds from the utility, while records show a $2,500 donation to her House committee earlier in the election cycle. El-Sayed highlighted that he has not accepted corporate PAC money.
Moderator Roop Raj also asked El-Sayed whether he identified as a socialist. El-Sayed responded, "I’m not a socialist. I’m just a capitalist who understands how capitalism works," adding that the greatest threat to capitalism is monopoly, not regulation.
The tightly contested race remains undecided as both candidates continue to court voters ahead of the primary.