Clyburn Adviser Pushes Back Against El-Sayed Campaign's Attempt to Exclude Stevens

What Happened

Rep. Jim Clyburn's (D-SC) office pushed back against Michigan Democrat Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's campaign after they reportedly sought to keep Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) away from his events.

According to the New York Times, El-Sayed's campaign told Stevens to stay away from its remaining events, but Clyburn's adviser Antjuan Seawright said the invitation to a Sunday church appearance in Detroit still stands.

Clyburn and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) had worked to bring the two together after days of public disagreements over Israel and antisemitism.

What the Evidence Establishes

The evidence establishes that there is a dispute between El-Sayed and Stevens, with El-Sayed's campaign seeking to exclude Stevens from his events.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Seawright said that both Democrats remain welcome and that Clyburn is concentrating on turning out voters rather than taking sides in their dispute.

Clyburn himself told the Times that he did not know whether Stevens would attend the Sunday event.

The disagreement comes as El-Sayed faces Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in a closely contested Senate race.

Where the Accounts Conflict

The accounts of the dispute between El-Sayed and Stevens conflict, with El-Sayed's campaign denying involvement in a Rebellion PAC ad that linked U.S. military aid to Israel with money unavailable for domestic needs.

Stevens and other critics called the ad antisemitic, while El-Sayed's campaign defended it as criticism of government spending rather than Jews.

Stevens said she accepted Clyburn's invitation to the Sunday event after Democrat intermediaries assured her El-Sayed would condemn the ad.

El-Sayed responded by accusing Stevens of 'relitigating a primary that ended three months ago' and urging Democrats to focus on defeating Rogers.

Context and Stakes

The dispute between El-Sayed and Stevens highlights divisions within the Democratic Party just days before the election that could decide control of the Senate.

Reuters reported that the campaign's request to exclude Stevens risked extending divisions within the party.

CNN reported that the two had not spoken in months, although their campaign teams remained in communication.

Stevens narrowly lost the August primary to El-Sayed and endorsed him afterward, but the two have since had public disagreements over Israel and antisemitism.

What to Watch Next

What to watch next is whether El-Sayed will condemn the Rebellion PAC ad and whether Stevens will attend the Sunday event in Detroit.

Additionally, the outcome of the Senate race between El-Sayed and Rogers will be closely watched, as it could help decide control of the Senate.

David Axelrod, CNN Chief Political Analyst, said that El-Sayed 'should have rejected' the 'offensive' and misleading ad blaming Israel for high costs.

Axelrod also stated that Stevens isn't trying to be 'constructive' and that El-Sayed needs to focus on the arguments he's running on.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that the dispute between El-Sayed and Stevens highlights divisions within the Democratic Party and could impact the outcome of the Senate race.

El-Sayed's campaign needs to navigate the controversy surrounding the Rebellion PAC ad and find a way to unite the party behind his candidacy.

Stevens's decision to accept Clyburn's invitation to the Sunday event could be seen as an attempt to put the party's interests ahead of her own personal disagreements with El-Sayed.

The outcome of the Senate race will have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the future of the Democratic Party.