Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign is drawing attention after criticizing Rep. Haley Stevens for voting in favor of a House resolution honoring Charlie Kirk following his assassination, injecting another flashpoint into an increasingly rancorous Democratic primary.
The social media attack centered on Stevens’ support for a bipartisan congressional resolution condemning Kirk’s killing and expressing sympathy for his family, prompting questions about whether even acknowledging the victim of a political assassination has become politically risky in some Democratic circles.
Campaign singles out Stevens
On July 9, El-Sayed’s official campaign account posted an image of Stevens with the words:
“HALEY STEVENS VOTED TO PRAISE AND HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLIE KIRK.”
The campaign added the caption:
“not Haley Stevens carrying the flame.”
The post referred to Stevens’ vote in favor of House Resolution 719, which was introduced after Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
The resolution condemned the assassination, expressed condolences to Kirk’s family, and honored his life and public work. It ultimately passed the House with broad bipartisan support, including the backing of nearly 100 Democrats.
Resolution received bipartisan support
Stevens was far from alone among Michigan Democrats in supporting the measure.
Democratic Reps. Debbie Dingell, Hillary Scholten, and Kristen McDonald Rivet also voted for the resolution. However, El-Sayed’s campaign focused its criticism exclusively on Stevens, his rival for the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race.
The attack has prompted questions about what aspect of the resolution the campaign found objectionable, given that its primary purpose was to condemn political violence and recognize the victim following a nationally publicized assassination.
Tight primary raises stakes
The clash comes after the Democratic primary field narrowed to two candidates.
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign on July 5, leaving Stevens and El-Sayed, the former Wayne County health director, locked in a closely contested race for the nomination.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for Aug. 4.
Whoever wins is expected to face former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the presumptive Republican nominee, in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races. Polling has indicated both Democratic candidates remain highly competitive in potential general election matchups against Rogers.
Political violence remains a flashpoint
The controversy underscores how political violence continues to shape national debate even months after Kirk’s assassination.
While the House resolution attracted significant bipartisan support as a statement against political violence, the El-Sayed campaign’s decision to highlight Stevens’ vote illustrates the ideological divisions that continue to emerge within Democratic primaries over how candidates respond to high-profile conservative figures.
With less than a month remaining before voters cast their ballots, the dispute adds another point of contrast in what has become one of the nation’s most competitive Senate nomination contests.
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