Michigan Senate Rift Deepens as Stevens' Fiancé and Campaign Chair Defect to Rogers

Key points

• Jason Turkish, a Jewish Democrat and disabilities attorney, stated he will vote for Mike Rogers, calling it 'putting country before party' due to El-Sayed’s perceived antisemitic rhetoric.
• Turkish cited El-Sayed’s refusal to answer whether Iran or Israel poses a greater threat and his criticism of AIPAC as reasons for his decision.
• Haley Stevens reaffirmed her support for El-Sayed on CNN but called on him to denounce 'hateful' ads, including one featuring Tucker Carlson and another by an outside group.
• Stevens and El-Sayed have not campaigned together since the August primary, with Stevens focusing on other races and travel, according to CNN.
• David Kramer, former chair of Stevens’ primary campaign, also announced he will vote for Rogers, citing concerns about Jewish safety and El-Sayed’s handling of the Israel issue.
• El-Sayed’s campaign distanced itself from a viral ad blaming Israel for cost-of-living issues but did not explicitly demand its removal, drawing criticism from Turkish and Stevens.

Background

The Michigan Senate race has been marked by intense intra-party tensions since the August primary, where Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated Haley Stevens. Previous coverage noted that Stevens had not campaigned for El-Sayed since the primary, despite endorsing him, and that Democratic donors and supporters were increasingly concerned about El-Sayed’s rhetoric on Israel and Jewish safety. This latest development underscores the depth of the rift, with key figures in Stevens’ orbit defecting to the Republican candidate in the final days of the campaign.

How outlets are covering it

The Detroit News and CNN emphasize the personal and political fallout from the Stevens-El-Sayed rift, highlighting the lack of coordination between the two former rivals and the impact on Democratic unity. The New York Times focuses on Stevens’ public criticism of El-Sayed’s campaign tactics, particularly the ads, and her call for the campaign to address concerns from Jewish and Black voters. Jewish Insider highlights the defection of David Kramer, a prominent Democratic fundraiser, to Rogers, underscoring the significance of the shift among party insiders. All sources agree that the Israel issue is central to the division, but they differ in emphasis: The Detroit News and CNN focus on the personal dynamics and lack of communication, while The New York Times and Jewish Insider highlight the broader implications for Democratic unity and voter turnout.

Why it matters

The defection of key Democratic figures to the Republican candidate in the final days of the race could impact voter turnout and perception among Jewish and Black voters in Michigan, a pivotal state in the midterm elections. The rift also raises questions about the ability of the Democratic Party to unify behind its nominee in a competitive race, potentially affecting the outcome in a state that has not elected a Republican senator in 30 years.

What to watch

The Nov. 3 election will determine whether El-Sayed can overcome the intra-party divisions and win the Michigan Senate seat. The outcome will also have implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and the ability of President Trump to push through his agenda. The reaction of Jewish and Black voters in Michigan, particularly in Oakland County, will be crucial in determining the final result.