Haley Stevens urges El-Sayed to ditch Hasan Piker affiliation after Michigan primary
With Michigan’s Senate contest entering its most consequential phase, Representative Haley Stevens, the runner‑up in the Democratic primary, is calling on the man who beat her to cut ties to a divisive online figure that has sparked backlash among some of the state’s most reliable voting blocs.
In an interview broadcast Sunday on “The Sunday Briefing,” Stevens told Abdul El‑Sayed, the progressive nominee who edged her out in a tightly contested primary, that continuing his association with far‑left streamer Hasan Piker could undermine his general‑election appeal. “It certainly makes sense to get rid of this Hasan Piker affiliation,” Stevens said, warning that the link could alienate Jewish voters, Black voters, women and suburban residents—groups that helped shape the state’s Democratic coalition in recent elections.
Stevens, who ran on a platform anchored in economic opportunity and a strong foreign‑policy stance, emphasized that her call was meant to help the party win, not to relitigate the primary. “I came really close and I’m still a Democrat,” she added. “I’m still out here talking about my views and values. I want the people who share my views and values to feel safe and to feel heard in the Democratic Party.” Her remarks came after she endorsed El‑Sayed following his narrow victory, signaling party unity even as she voiced lingering concerns.
The seat in question is the one being vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters, a longtime Democratic stronghold. Control of the Senate is widely seen as hanging in the balance, with Michigan’s contest positioned among a handful of races that could decide whether Republicans preserve their slim majority. Both parties have poured resources into the state, recognizing that a win here could shift the chamber’s dynamics.
El‑Sayed, a former health official and progressive activist, has campaigned on a platform emphasizing expanded health‑care access, strengthening democratic institutions and supporting Black‑owned businesses. While his primary victory was celebrated by the left flank of the party, his campaign’s ties to Piker—a provocative commentator known for sharp criticism of mainstream politics—have drawn criticism from more moderate Democrats and some independent voters.
A recent Fox News survey showed El‑Sayed trailing his Republican opponent, former Congressman Mike Rogers, by four percentage points among likely voters. The poll also indicated that El‑Sayed is underperforming with Black voters, women and suburban residents compared with how those groups backed former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential contest. The numbers have intensified concerns among party strategists that the Piker affiliation could be a liability in November.
Rogers, who has framed the race as a choice between a socialist agenda and mainstream Midwestern values, welcomed Stevens’s comments, arguing that the episode illustrates what he described as a “far‑left” takeover of the Democratic ticket. “Michigan voters deserve a senator who will fight for all families, not one who kowtows to online personalities,” Rogers said in a statement released after Stevens’s interview.
Stevens’s public push reflects a broader effort within the Democratic Party to consolidate its base while appealing to swing voters. Party leaders have highlighted their proposals on health care, voting rights and economic development as superior alternatives to Rogers’s positions, contending that a unified Democratic front can overcome the current polling deficit.
El‑Sayed’s campaign has yet to respond directly to Stevens’s remarks, though allies say the nominee is focused on presenting his vision to Michigan voters and is prepared to address concerns about his online associations in the coming weeks. “Abdul is listening to all Michiganders and is ready to talk about the issues that matter most to families across the state,” a campaign spokesperson said in a brief email.
The race is scheduled to conclude on November 3, with early voting already underway in some parts of the state. Both campaigns are gearing up for a final push, and the outcome could have far‑reaching implications for the balance of power in the Senate. As the countdown to Election Day continues, the debate over alliances—online and off—remains a focal point of the contest.