Democrat civil war breaks out in Michigan just days away from midterm elections with vicious sniping over controversial ‘anti-Israel’ TV ad… as ‘blue tsunami’ risks turning into a ripple
Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens have resumed their public feud days before Michigan’s Senate election, raising concerns about Democratic unity in a closely contested state. Stevens urged El-Sayed to condemn an advert that links US support for Israel with rising grocery prices, while he said the campaign should focus on defeating Republican Mike Rogers.
The advert, produced by commentator Cenk Uygur, includes a woman saying she cannot afford eggs because money was spent “killing Palestinians”; El-Sayed’s campaign says it neither made nor endorsed it. Stevens also called on him to address concerns about his past remarks. The two had planned a joint Detroit event with Congressman Jim Clyburn, but an El-Sayed campaign source later asked Stevens not to attend future events. Rogers praised Stevens’ criticism as he seeks support from Jewish Democratic voters.
In short
- El-Sayed and Stevens have clashed again before Michigan’s Senate election.
- Stevens wants El-Sayed to condemn an advert linking Israel aid to grocery costs.
- Rogers has praised Stevens’ criticism as he courts Democratic voters.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Stevens’s position is that a candidate in a competitive statewide race should clearly distance himself from an advert that ties support for Israel to household costs and uses graphic language about Palestinian deaths. A prompt, unequivocal response could reassure Jewish voters and others troubled by the advert, and help the party show that it can debate Israel policy without tolerating inflammatory campaigning.
The case against
El-Sayed’s position is that he did not produce or endorse the advert, and that the immediate priority is defeating the Republican in a close race rather than amplifying attacks among Democrats. He may also argue that criticism of US policy towards Israel, including its human and financial costs, is legitimate, while insisting that responsibility for the advert belongs to its makers.
Explained simply
Michigan is a politically competitive state where both major parties seek support from a mix of urban, suburban and rural voters. In the Senate race, Democrat Haley Stevens and Republican Mike Rogers are competing for a seat in the US Congress’s upper chamber, while Abdul El-Sayed is a prominent Democrat who has campaigned alongside Stevens.
The dispute touches on US support for Israel and the war in Gaza, subjects that have divided voters and politicians. Cenk Uygur, a political commentator, produced the advert at the centre of the row; El-Sayed’s campaign says it did not make or endorse it. The disagreement matters because party unity and support from different voter groups can affect a close election.
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