Stevens says primary differences resolved, pledges unity ahead of general election
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Rep. Haley Stevens said the contested Senate primary with Abdul El-Sayed is over and emphasized a unified Democratic front, while remaining noncommittal about joint campaigning.
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan told listeners on "The Takeout with Major Garrett" that the primary contest with Abdul El-Sayed has concluded and that the party’s internal disagreements have been aired. She said, "Everything that needed to be said in the primary was said," and described the Democratic Party as a "big tent." Stevens noted that the race highlighted divisions within the party over U.S. policy toward Israel, but added that the period of "negative, nasty, the disunity stuff" is over. She reaffirmed her support for U.S. military aid to Israel, describing herself as a "Democratic Zionist" and saying there is still a place for her perspective within the party. When asked whether she would appear with El-Sayed on the general-election campaign against Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers, Stevens said she would focus on the Democratic contest, noting, "Abdul's got a big campaign to run. We did the unity deal. My focus here is, no Rogers. No Republicans. Abdul and I had our primary. It's over." El-Sayed, who has been critical of Israel’s government and the war in Gaza, had repeatedly attacked Stevens for receiving support from pro-Israel groups during the primary.