Detroit church services split as Stevens backs GOP rival Rogers

Haley Stevens stood with Republican Mike Rogers inside a Detroit church on Sunday. The appearance marked a public break from her former primary rival, Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens had defeated El-Sayed in the August Democratic primary but chose to back the Trump-endorsed candidate in the general election. The move coincided with days of internal disputes within the Michigan Democratic Party.

The tension peaked after Stevens was not invited to a joint religious event with El-Sayed and Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. That plan fell apart following a public disagreement over El-Sayed’s comments on Israel. The split forced party leaders to scramble to present a unified front before the Tuesday vote.

Debbie Dingell, a Michigan congresswoman who helped organize the original joint service, said she asked Stevens to skip the event. Dingell stated that Stevens agreed to honor that request. “Fui yo quien lo retiró porque se había vuelto demasiado distractor,” Dingell said in a phone interview. She added that the bishop was getting upset because it was a real religious service.

Stevens’ decision to back Rogers followed statements from her fiancé. He said last week that he would vote for Rogers. He argued that El-Sayed had not done enough to address concerns from the Jewish community. Stevens later expressed satisfaction on Saturday night that El-Sayed disagreed with the content of an outside advertisement attacking him.

El-Sayed responded to the dispute by saying the primary debate ended three months ago. “Así que, mientras la congresista Stevens parece empeñada en reabrir un debate sobre unas primarias que terminaron hace tres meses, centrémonos todos en la tarea que tenemos entre manos,” El-Sayed said. He clarified on Saturday that his campaign did not run the advertisement and that he disagreed with its content.

The race for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Democrat Gary Peters is considered a key battleground. Democrats need to hold Michigan to maintain a majority in the final two years of President Trump’s second term. The contest pits El-Sayed, a former public health official, against Rogers, a former congressman.

Stevens and her team have not responded to requests for comment on whether she would attend the Sunday service. She issued a statement on Friday urging El-Sayed to condemn the outside ad that linked U.S. Support for Israel with high food prices. “Abdul promete eliminar la influencia del dinero en la política,” Stevens wrote. “Puede empezar por excluir a Israel de su explicación sobre todo aquello que Michigan no puede permitirse”.

El-Sayed held a separate church service on Sunday with Clyburn and other prominent Democrats. According to campaign materials, attendees included Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and state Secretary of State candidate Garlin Gilchrist II. Several Michigan bishops also attended the service.

The divisions matter most in Wayne and Oakland counties. Stevens won both areas in the primary, carrying support from Black and Jewish voters. Those groups form a large part of the Democratic coalition in Detroit. Early voting began on October 24, before the latest tensions erupted.

Dingell said the party remains united behind El-Sayed, who would be the first Muslim U.S. Senator if elected. “La unión hace la fuerza, la división nos debilita,” Dingell said. She added that the public focus on Stevens and El-Sayed distracts from the issues voters should consider on Tuesday.