El-Sayed Blocks Stevens From Final Campaign Events
Abdul El-Sayed has asked Rep. Haley Stevens to stay away from his campaign events in the final days of the race. This move comes after a brief moment where both Democrats seemed ready to campaign together on Sunday. The candidate’s team told POLITICO that her presence would distract from the central issues. El-Sayed wants voters to focus on gas prices and grocery costs instead of internal drama.
El-Sayed released a statement on October 30 claiming his campaign defeated $70 million in outside spending. He said his focus should be on defeating Mike Rogers and taking back the Senate. However, he refused to apologize for his own prior language regarding Israel. He also did not denounce his own ad featuring Tucker Carlson despite earlier promises. This refusal marks a clear break in unity among Michigan Democrats.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke out on Friday about the situation in Michigan. She told CNN that El-Sayed has not done enough to address concerns from the Jewish community. She specifically criticized an ad that blamed Israel for high prices at the grocery store. She called it incomprehensible that he has not forcefully condemned the ad and insisted it come down.
Wasserman Schultz noted that candidates have the power to demand ads be taken down. She said the ad should lay the blame at the feet of Donald Trump and his policies. Her comments highlight a deep split within the party just before the election. She made it clear she does not want Mike Rogers elected to the United States Senate either.
Another issue has surfaced regarding El-Sayed’s claim that he is a doctor. According to Townhall, he never held a physician’s license and never treated any patient. Despite this, he continues to use the title in his campaign ads. He informed voters that, as a doctor, he believes a politician must never interfere with a woman’s medical care.
A Democrat strategist told Politico that it is strange to base your reputation on medicine when you never practiced it. Earlier this year, a complaint was submitted to the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing. The complaint cited research showing El-Sayed had no medical license in New York or Michigan. That complaint went nowhere while the media largely ignored the issue.
The candidate’s team argues that the race is about putting money in pockets and passing Medicare for All. They argue that reopening a primary concluded three months ago is a waste of time. Yet the request for Stevens to stay away suggests they fear her presence will hurt their message.
