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Stevens says primary differences with El-Sayed 'aired out' as she focuses on November election

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Rep. Haley Stevens stated she is moving past the contentious Democratic primary loss to Abdul El-Sayed.
  • Stevens acknowledged the primary highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party regarding U.S. support for Israel.
  • She emphasized her focus is now on defeating the Republican opponent in the November election.

Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan said Thursday she is moving on from her primary loss to Abdul El-Sayed, stating that their "differences were aired out." Stevens, speaking in an interview with "The Takeout with Major Garrett," acknowledged the race exposed rifts within the Democratic Party, particularly over U.S. support for Israel.

Everything that needed to be said in the primary was said. It's a big tent party.

โ€” Haley StevensStevens described the primary race and its aftermath.

"Everything that needed to be said in the primary was said," Stevens said. "It's a big tent party." She stressed that "the time for all this negative, nasty, the disunity stuff, it's over." El-Sayed had criticized Stevens for her support from the pro-Israel lobby, while El-Sayed is critical of Israel's government and the war in Gaza. Stevens affirmed her stance, identifying as a "Democratic Zionist" and stating there is a place for her within the party.

the time for all this negative, nasty, the disunity stuff, it's over.

โ€” Haley StevensStevens addressed the divisions exposed during the primary.

While Stevens pushed for unity moving forward, she was noncommittal about campaigning alongside El-Sayed. "Abdul's got a big campaign to run," she said. "We did the unity deal." Her primary focus, she added, is opposing "MAGA and Trump." "Abdul and I had our primary. It's over. It's over," Stevens concluded.

I'm going to continue to hold my beliefs. I know it's a a word sometimes that people don't understand, but I am a Democratic Zionist. There is a home in the party that I'm still in for someone like me.

โ€” Haley StevensStevens affirmed her political identity and place within the Democratic Party.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.