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Stevens and El-Sayed trade personal attacks and other takeaways from the Michigan Senate primary debate

Stevens defended her record and positions while criticizing Abdul El-Sayed at their final primary debate.

Stevens and El-Sayed trade personal attacks and other takeaways from the Michigan Senate primary debate
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This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026
tl;dr

In their final debate before Michigan’s August 4 Democratic Senate primary, Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed traded personal criticism and laid out contrasting positions on AIPAC spending, Israel and Palestine, and immigration. The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for the seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.

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Haley M. Stevens D · MI-11
● OPEN

People in this story

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Michigan representative and Senate candidate in the Democratic primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan

El-Sayed's version of this story ↗

Michigan state senator and former Senate candidate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration’s immigration actions were discussed

John Fetterman
D · PA · SEN

Pennsylvania senator criticized by El-Sayed

Republican Senate candidate in Michigan

Gary C. Peters
D · MI · SEN

Michigan senator whose seat is being vacated

Debbie Stabenow
Former U.S. Senator (D-MI)

Former Michigan senator referenced in Stevens’s account of El-Sayed’s past remarks

ALSO MENTIONED  Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor referenced by the candidates; Michelle Obama, Former first lady referenced in discussion of El-Sayed’s past remarks

Part of a bigger story

10 OUTLETS
Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed Debate in Michigan Senate Race

Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed debated in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, addressing their records, campaign spending and policy positions. Center outlets emphasize campaign money, electability and the candidates’ records, with some fact-checking claims or tracking polling. Right-leaning outlets foreground Stevens’s defense of her congressional experience and pro-Israel record, alongside El-Sayed’s criticism of her positions.

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