Poll shows 95 percent of Michigan Democrats support El-Sayed. Now party leaders are allegedly trying to take him down just days before midterms

With the general election just days away, a fierce internal conflict is playing out within the Democratic Party as some centrists attempt to undermine Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, The Intercept reports. Despite polling from October 21 showing a massive 95 percent of Michigan Democrats support his candidacy, party moderates are escalating their efforts to distance themselves from him during these final hours.

The tension reached a boiling point this week following an ad produced by Rebellion PAC, which linked rising domestic prices to U.S. financial support for the Israeli military. Although the El-Sayed campaign had no involvement in the ad, they issued a statement on Thursday to distance themselves from the content. It seems this conciliatory gesture was not enough to satisfy his critics.

Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed in August, used his condemnation of the ad as an opportunity to launch a sharp critique of her former opponent. In a statement released Friday, she claimed to speak on behalf of Michigan’s Black and Jewish communities.

Haley Stevens suggested El-Sayed was attempting to appeal to the far right

Haley Stevens’ critique came as she announced her plan to appear with Rep. Jim Clyburn at a campaign event this Sunday. Her involvement comes after her fiancé, donor Jason Turkish, recently stated he plans to vote for Republican candidate Mike Rogers. Turkish reportedly told TMZ on Friday night that Stevens might join him in supporting Rogers if El-Sayed did not meet a specific list of demands.

Many establishment Democrats appear to view El-Sayed as an existential threat to their traditional control. While his domestic policy positions are similar to those of party stalwarts like Elizabeth Warren, his vocal opposition to the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza puts him at odds with the party’s long-standing donor class and pro-Israel wing.

The pressure against El-Sayed has been building for months. Other party figures, including Nancy Pelosi and Senator Cory Booker, have previously expressed reservations or declined to fully embrace his platform. However, the internal friction seems to be backfiring.

Popular figures like Barack Obama are actively supporting the campaign, and other state leaders are expressing frustration with the timing of these attacks. Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow told CNN on Friday, “I have no idea what the hell Haley Stevens is doing. This is a moment where we have to recognize the stakes.”

It appears Stevens is not backing down, as she has also demanded that El-Sayed pull an ad featuring Tucker Carlson. The campaign, however, seems focused on the upcoming vote. Reports indicate that Stevens is no longer wanted at the Sunday rally, as the campaign views her participation as a distraction. El-Sayed addressed the situation in a statement on Friday, emphasizing his commitment to affordability and the broader goal of holding the seat for the party.

“That should be the priority for all of us right now,” El-Sayed wrote. “So while Congresswoman Stevens seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago, let’s all focus on the task at hand: that’s beating Mike Rogers, holding Trump accountable, and getting money out of politics, putting money in pockets, and passing Medicare for All.”