Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed Debate in High-Stakes Michigan Democratic Senate Primary
Democratic candidates Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed faced off in a final debate for the Michigan Senate seat, a key battleground for the 2026 midterm elections. Stevens, an establishment-backed moderate, emphasized her experience and support from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, while El-Sayed, a progressive favorite, advocated for getting money out of politics and Medicare for all. The two candidates addressed issues of affordability, healthcare, and the Israel-Hamas war. El-Sayed criticized the Israeli government's actions against the Palestinian people as a genocide, while Stevens accepted support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Both candidates expressed criticism of the administration's mass deportation efforts under President Trump. However, El-Sayed called for the abolition of ICE, while Stevens sought to stop abuses of power within the agency. The winner will face Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in November. The outcome is critical for Democrats seeking to regain the Senate majority.