Democrats Stevens And El-Sayed Clash Over Israel And Campaign Money In Tense Michigan Senate Primary Debate

CBS Detroit

Updated on: July 8, 2026 / 8:23 PM EDT

Michigan's remaining Democratic Senate candidates — Rep. Haley Stevens and former Michigan health official Abdul El-Sayed — sparred over support for Israel and the direction of the Democratic party during a one-on-one debate Tuesday.

Two days earlier, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign, shaking up an already-heated primary that has been marred by intraparty fighting. McMorrow cast herself as the middle ground between Stevens, a moderate who has the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and El-Sayed, a progressive who is supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Stevens asserted El-Sayed's campaign was propped up by Republicans who are hoping to make it easier for former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers to win the general election in November and accused El-Sayed of being publicity-hungry. El-Sayed accused Stevens of being beholden to corporate donors and the pro-Israel political action committee AIPAC.

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