Rep. Haley Stevens condemned far-left streamer Hasan Piker on Wednesday, publicly distancing herself from an ally of Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, even as she pledged to back El-Sayed in the general election following her narrow primary defeat. The episode highlights ongoing tension within the Democratic Party as it tries to unify ahead of a closely watched November contest for an open, competitive Senate seat.

Speaking on NewsNation, Stevens said Piker "should be condemned" and questioned his relevance to Michigan politics, while also denying he represents the Democratic Party. Piker had campaigned prominently alongside El-Sayed, including at a Detroit pool party, and his involvement became a flashpoint late in the primary race, which El-Sayed won. The Republican National Committee seized on the rift, urging Democrats to formally disavow Piker, while El-Sayed has previously called some of Piker's remarks, including a comment that "America deserved 9/11," a "dumb statement" without cutting ties with him. El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, a race seen as pivotal to Senate control.