Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, the two remaining Democrats competing in Michigan’s August 4 primary, faced off in a tense debate Tuesday night. The clash highlighted their huge differences in style and their different visions for the role they seek to play in the party.
Debate Highlights
El-Sayed and Stevens squared off over campaign funding, specifically from allies of Israel, as well as regulating artificial intelligence, free trade pacts, and more in the one-hour debate. They also repeatedly jabbed at how their rival has operated as a candidate, and sought to cast doubt on their opponent’s ability to defeat Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in November.
Stevens sought to portray El-Sayed as unserious and opportunistic, contrasting her lawmaking experience with her opponent’s penchant for online virality. El-Sayed, meanwhile, consistently hammered Stevens over the flood of outside spending backing her campaign, framing Stevens as an agent of a corrupt establishment.
The stakes in Michigan are high, with Democrats needing a net gain of four seats in the midterm elections to win a Senate majority next year. To do so, they likely need to retain the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
