El-Sayed Raises $2.4 Million in a Day After Stevens Endorses Rogers
The Michigan Senate candidate broke a single-day record following a surprise endorsement by Rep. Haley Stevens for the Republican challenger.
By Omar Bennett ·
Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign collected more than $2.4 million on Sunday, marking a new single-day fundraising high for the Michigan Senate race.
The total came from over 65,000 donors who gave an average of $36.74 each. Of that group, 29,600 people gave to the campaign for the first time. The surge occurred immediately after Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., announced she was supporting Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed earlier this year, posted a video to social media over the weekend to explain her decision. She stated that El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign and that she should stay away. She acknowledged that his assessment was correct, which led her to back the Republican nominee.
In the video, Stevens cited El-Sayed’s support from political streamer Hasan Piker as a primary reason for her switch. She described herself as a proud Democrat who loves Michigan but could not bring herself to support the current nominee. Her endorsement of the Trump-backed Republican drew sharp criticism from party leaders.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled the move a despicable betrayal. He affirmed that the Democratic caucus remains united behind El-Sayed. Curtis Hertel, the Michigan Democratic Party Chair, also condemned the decision, stating that Stevens had abandoned everything she claims to care about.
El-Sayed responded to the news on Sunday by telling reporters that he was focused on voters and policy rather than Stevens or Rogers. His campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak said the momentum behind the campaign has never been stronger as Michiganders prepare to vote.
El-Sayed has spent recent months trying to distance himself from Piker, whose national profile has grown alongside scrutiny of his controversial statements. These include antisemitic sentiments and a claim that America deserved 9/11. The fundraising success shows the candidate maintaining financial strength despite the internal party conflict.
Source: Fox News
