Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) appeared at a church service in Detroit with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers instead of with Democratic candidate Abdul el Sayed as originally planned. The plan fell through as Stevens and el Sayed continued to grapple over an advertisement that Jewish leaders have condemned as antisemitic.
Stevens had announced on Friday that she had accepted an invitation from Rep. Jim Clyburn to appear with el Sayed at the service, but the plan fell through as they continued to grapple over the ad. The ad, produced by Rebellion PAC, blames the high cost of groceries on U.S. financial support for Israel.
The controversy is playing out in the competitive Michigan Senate race, where el Sayed is challenging Stevens in the Democratic primary and Rogers is the Republican frontrunner. The dispute highlights internal party tensions over foreign policy and domestic messaging.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Highlights divisions within the Democratic Party in a key swing state
- Could shift voter perceptions on Israel and economic issues
- May affect the primary race and general election prospects
Background
The Michigan Senate seat is a key target in the 2026 midterms, with both parties competing fiercely. The Democratic primary between Stevens and el Sayed has become a lightning rod for debates on U.S. foreign aid.
Key Perspectives
Rep. Haley Stevens: Chose to appear with a Republican rather than el Sayed, signaling her distance from his campaign.
Abdul el Sayed: His campaign is associated with an ad that Jewish leaders call antisemitic, focusing on Israel's role in grocery prices.
Jewish leaders: Condemned the ad as antisemitic, raising concerns about its message.
What to Watch
- Whether the ad is pulled or continues to air
- Impact on primary voter turnout and endorsements
- Any further public sparring between the candidates
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 7 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedStevens attended a Detroit church service with Mike Rogers after sparring with el Sayed over the weekend.Washington Examiner: “Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) appeared at a church service in Detroit with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers after sparring with Democratic candidate Abdul el Sayed over the weekend.”
- SupportedJewish leaders condemned the ad as antisemitic.Washington Examiner: “Stevens and el Sayed continued to grapple over an that Jewish leaders have condemned as antisemitic. The ad, produced by Rebellion PAC”
- SupportedStevens appeared at the service with Rogers instead of el Sayed, who had been the planned companion.Washington Examiner: “Stevens had originally announced on Friday that she had accepted an invitation from Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to appear at a church service in Detroit with el Sayed, but the plan fell through”
- SupportedThe plan fell through as Stevens and el Sayed continued to grapple over the ad.Washington Examiner: “the plan fell through as Stevens and el Sayed continued to grapple over an that Jewish leaders have condemned as antisemitic. The ad, produced by Rebellion PAC”
- SupportedStevens announced on Friday that she had accepted an invitation from Jim Clyburn to appear with el Sayed at the service.Washington Examiner: “Stevens had originally announced on Friday that she had accepted an invitation from Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to appear at a church service in Detroit with el Sayed”
- SupportedRebellion PAC produced the ad.Washington Examiner: “The ad, produced by Rebellion PAC, blames the high cost of groceries on U.S. financial support for Israel.”
- SupportedThe ad blames high grocery costs on U.S. financial support for Israel.Washington Examiner: “The ad, produced by Rebellion PAC, blames the high cost of groceries on U.S. financial support for Israel.”
- Not in the sourcesThe Michigan Senate race is competitive.Philadelphia Inquirer: “Turmoil in Michigan's Senate race as Democrat Haley Stevens appears with Republican Mike Rogers.”
- Not in the sourcesEl Sayed is challenging Stevens in the Democratic primary.Washington Examiner: “Democratic candidate Abdul el Sayed”
- Not in the sourcesRogers is the Republican frontrunner.Washington Examiner: “Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers”
- Not in the sourcesThe dispute highlights internal party tensions over foreign policy and domestic messaging.Washington Examiner: “Haley Stevens attends church with Mike Rogers as el Sayed tensions spill over.”