One percent margin ignites Democratic primary rift over El-Sayed support
Rep. Haley Stevens faces sharp criticism from progressives after a vague endorsement of her former rival on CNN.
By Malik Salazar ·
Abdul El-Sayed defeated Rep. Haley Stevens by one percentage point in the Michigan Democratic primary this year, a margin that has now fueled an online dispute between the two candidates’ supporters. Stevens, who ran for the Senate seat, appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” over the weekend to discuss the party’s upcoming midterm slate. When asked specifically about backing El-Sayed, she offered a general affirmation rather than a direct endorsement.
Stevens told the program, “I’m on the Democratic ticket. I can’t say that I agree with everything that’s gone on.” She added that she is working to support Gov. Jocelyn Benson and Hakeem Jeffries, whom she described as a candidate to become the first Black Speaker of the House. When pressed further about El-Sayed, Stevens replied, “If you had asked me if I’m still on the team, I’m on the team.”
Progressive commentators quickly took issue with the ambiguity. Mehdi Hasan, a host, argued on X that the lack of a full endorsement from a former rival was unusual and hypocritical. He wrote, “Ridiculous. For all the folks still pretending El-Sayed’s race is the same as [Roy Cooper’s] or [Mary Peltola’s], do they have former Dem rivals refusing to fully endorse them on national TV?”
Leah Greenberg, the leader of the activist group Indivisible, was more blunt in her critique. She noted that it is late October and voters are casting ballots daily. Greenberg wrote, “If you cannot give a full-throated endorsement to the Democratic nominee who could be the key vote in flipping the Senate, then stay the f, off television.” Other critics, including former congressional candidate Kyle Blomquist and commentator Emma Vigeland, accused Stevens of protecting her own career at the expense of the Senate race.
Moderate Democrats offered a different perspective. Strategist Lis Smith responded to Hasan’s post by suggesting that the enthusiasm surrounding other Democratic candidates, such as those in North Carolina and Alaska, serves as a validation of their quality. Smith argued that having candidates people want to associate with is a positive factor in assessing strength.
The primary contest in Michigan was closely contested after fellow Democrat Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the race. El-Sayed won 48.5% of the vote, while Stevens received 47.5% and McMorrow took 4%. Stevens had the backing of establishment figures, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. El-Sayed is supported by progressive members of Congress, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Fox News Digital contacted Stevens for comment on the online reaction but did not receive an immediate response. The next major event in the Michigan race is the general election, where El-Sayed will face the Republican nominee.
