Clyburn Adviser Rejects Claims El-Sayed Excluded Stevens from Event
Rep. Jim Clyburn’s office denies efforts to exclude Rep. Haley Stevens from El-Sayed’s event, emphasizing party unity ahead of key Senate race.
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Rep. Jim Clyburn’s (D-SC) office has firmly rejected claims that Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign sought to exclude Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) from his events, with Clyburn’s adviser Antjuan Seawright clarifying that Stevens remains invited to a Sunday church appearance in Detroit. The dispute has emerged amid a closely contested Michigan Senate race, where El-Sayed faces Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers.
Party Unity Amid Internal Strife
Clyburn and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) had previously worked to mend ties between El-Sayed and Stevens, who had been at odds over issues including Israel and antisemitism. Despite their public disagreements, both candidates had appeared together at party unity events after Stevens narrowly lost the August primary to El-Sayed and endorsed him.
El-Sayed’s campaign reportedly instructed Stevens to stay away from its remaining events, according to multiple media outlets, including the New York Times and Politico. However, Clyburn’s office has maintained that Stevens remains welcome and that the focus is on mobilizing voters rather than taking sides in the dispute.
Controversial Ad Sparks Debate
The disagreement centers on a Rebellion PAC ad linking U.S. military aid to Israel with domestic funding shortfalls. Critics, including Stevens, have accused the ad of being antisemitic, while El-Sayed’s campaign denied involvement. The ad has become a flashpoint in the broader Democratic primary and Senate race, with Stevens demanding an apology from El-Sayed for his own comments on the issue.
Stevens also called for the removal of a separate El-Sayed campaign ad featuring footage of Tucker Carlson, who was not appearing as an El-Sayed surrogate. El-Sayed, in turn, accused Stevens of rehashing a primary dispute that ended months ago and urged Democrats to focus on defeating Rogers.
Personal and Political Divides
Stevens’s fiancé, Jason Turkish, has expressed concerns about El-Sayed’s rhetoric on Israel and Jewish safety, stating he will vote for Rogers. However, Stevens maintains her support for El-Sayed, despite the growing rift within the party. The tension has come at a critical time, as the Democratic Party seeks to hold its Senate majority.
Analysts warn that the internal divisions risk undermining the party’s efforts ahead of the November election, which could determine control of the Senate. The situation highlights the challenges of maintaining unity in a fractured political landscape.
Source: Breitbart
