Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, the two Democratic candidates for the Michigan Senate seat, engaged in a heated debate on Monday night, trading personal attacks and showcasing their differences on key issues.

Immigration Policy

One of the most notable exchanges came when the candidates discussed immigration policy. El-Sayed, who has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticized Stevens for voting to increase ICE’s funding in the past. Stevens, on the other hand, argued that she is working to stop ‘abuses of power’ by the Trump administration in its mass deportation efforts.

El-Sayed responded that Stevens’ approach is ‘exactly the kind of cowardice that we don’t need from Democrats.’ He also noted that he is not afraid to take a strong stance on the issue, even if it means facing criticism from some quarters.

Israel and Palestine

The candidates also clashed on the issue of Israel and Palestine. Stevens expressed her support for a two-state solution, while El-Sayed argued that the US should prioritize equal rights and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. El-Sayed also criticized the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in US politics, saying that it supports Stevens because ‘they know she’ll be a reliable vote.’

Stevens pushed back against El-Sayed’s comments, saying that she believes in a two-state solution and that El-Sayed’s approach is ‘not a realistic or responsible way to address the conflict.’ The debate highlighted the significant differences between the two candidates on key issues, setting the stage for a closely contested primary election.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.