Home · Politics · Nov 2 archive
El-Sayed Rakes in $1.2M After Stevens Defects
ConfirmedShare on
In Short: Haley Stevens's endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers has backfired, boosting El-Sayed's fundraising.
Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, earning near-universal condemnation from Democrats and applause from Republicans, according to Justthenews. The move has handed El-Sayed a significant financial windfall, as he raised $1.2 million in just four hours following Stevens's endorsement, reports Washingtonexaminer.
Stevens cited El-Sayed's ties to political streamer Hasan Piker, whose comments about Jewish people and Israel sparked backlash, in her decision to back Rogers, NPR reported. El-Sayed sought to distance himself from the controversy, but Stevens has criticized him for not doing enough to reassure Black and Jewish voters who backed her in the primary.
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that she believes Stevens’s decision will backfire, citing historic donations made to El-Sayed after Stevens’s announcement. Dingell said she had discussed the race with Stevens and was assured she was still endorsing El-Sayed the night before her colleague announced the defection to Rogers.
In an interview with CNN, Dingell said she was worried about Stevens, claiming the interview was one of “the most painful” she’s ever watched and suggested Stevens is mentally struggling or was forced into the decision by her fiancé, Jason Turkish. Rogers responded by saying it is insulting to insinuate that Stevens is mentally ill or that Jason influences her decision-making in an unhealthy way.
Stevens ran as a moderate against socialist-leaning El-Sayed in the state’s Democratic primary earlier this year, NPR noted. Her move to buck her party on Rogers triggered instant outrage from Democratic colleagues, some of whom began pushing to remove her from the caucus.
El-Sayed’s campaign has asked rival Haley Stevens to stay away from his events, just days before the midterm elections, according to reports. The campaign clash between El-Sayed and Stevens has been ongoing, with both sides accusing each other of various missteps.
The publications agree that Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers has significantly boosted El-Sayed’s fundraising efforts, with him raising over $1 million in just four hours. They also concur that Stevens’s decision has caused a rift within the Democratic party and has been met with widespread criticism from her colleagues.
What this adds
Stevens's endorsement of Rogers has not only boosted El-Sayed's fundraising but has also led to calls for her removal from the Democratic caucus.
Background
After a bruising and sometimes bitter campaign, left-wing insurgent Abdul El-Sayed is slightly ahead of the establishment-backed congresswoman, Haley Stevens, with more than 90% of the votes counted.
Abdul El-Sayed's campaign has asked rival Haley Stevens to stay away from his events, just days before the midterm elections.
What's confirmed
- Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, earning near-universal condemnation from Democrats and applause from Republicans, according to Justthenews. The move has handed El-Sayed a significant financial windfall, as he raised $1.2 million in just four hours following Stevens's endorsement, reports Washingtonexaminer.
- Stevens cited El-Sayed's ties to political streamer Hasan Piker, whose comments about Jewish people and Israel sparked backlash, in her decision to back Rogers, NPR reported. El-Sayed sought to distance himself from the controversy, but Stevens has criticized him for not doing enough to reassure Black and Jewish voters who backed her in the primary.
- Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that she believes Stevens’s decision will backfire, citing historic donations made to El-Sayed after Stevens’s announcement. Dingell said she had discussed the race with Stevens and was assured she was still endorsing El-Sayed the night before her colleague announced the defection to Rogers.
- In an interview with CNN, Dingell said she was worried about Stevens, claiming the interview was one of “the most painful” she’s ever watched and suggested Stevens is mentally struggling or was forced into the decision by her fiancé, Jason Turkish. Rogers responded by saying it is insulting to insinuate that Stevens is mentally ill or that Jason influences her decision-making in an unhealthy way.
- Stevens ran as a moderate against socialist-leaning El-Sayed in the state’s Democratic primary earlier this year, NPR noted. Her move to buck her party on Rogers triggered instant outrage from Democratic colleagues, some of whom began pushing to remove her from the caucus.
- El-Sayed’s campaign has asked rival Haley Stevens to stay away from his events, just days before the midterm elections, according to reports. The campaign clash between El-Sayed and Stevens has been ongoing, with both sides accusing each other of various missteps.
- The publications agree that Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers has significantly boosted El-Sayed’s fundraising efforts, with him raising over $1 million in just four hours. They also concur that Stevens’s decision has caused a rift within the Democratic party and has been met with widespread criticism from her colleagues.
What's still developing
- Haley Stevens stunned the political landscape by endorsing GOP Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers for Michigan's open Senate seat, breaking with her party less than 48 hours before Election Day.