El-Sayed raises $2.4M after Stevens backs GOP rival Rogers
Michigan Democrats report a surge in donations and voter anger following the break in the alliance between Rep. Haley Stevens and Sen. Abdul El-Sayed.
By Christopher Singh ·
The campaign for Michigan Attorney General candidate Abdul El-Sayed reported raising more than $2.4 million on Sunday. That sum was collected on the same day that Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.
Stevens, who defeated El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, had been expected to appear with him at a campaign event on Sunday. The plan collapsed after Stevens demanded on Friday that El-Sayed apologize for previous comments regarding U.S. aid to Israel. She also asked him to condemn an advertisement from an outside political action committee that she labeled antisemitic. El-Sayed's team stated last week that the campaign was not affiliated with the ad in any way.
Following Stevens' critique, El-Sayed released a statement noting that she seemed intent on relitigating a primary that had ended three months ago. He subsequently withdrew from the Sunday event. In the morning, Stevens instead attended a church service with Rogers before announcing her support for the Republican. She told reporters that she initially stood with her party but was booed off the stage.
Representative Debbie Dingell described the shift as galvanizing communities in Michigan. In an interview on The Takeout with Major Garrett, Dingell said she had spoken with Black pastors who asked who said Stevens represented them. Dingell noted that there was considerable anger regarding the manner in which Stevens executed her endorsement.
Dingell, a senior member of Michigan's congressional delegation, told NPR that she encouraged Stevens to skip the unity event. She characterized the situation as a distraction. When asked about potential consequences for Stevens within the House Democratic Caucus, Dingell advised colleagues to avoid creating further drama. She stated that the caucus needs to focus on winning the election.
Dingell expressed fatigue with the internal conflict and concern for her colleague. She told CBS News that she was getting angrier as the day progressed but would not let that emotion take over. Stevens is scheduled to appear with Rogers on Sunday, while El-Sayed continues to raise funds ahead of the general election.
