Haley Stevens denounces Hasan Piker while pledging support for El-Sayed after primary defeat
Rep. Haley Stevens said Hasan Piker should be condemned and urged Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed to distance himself, even as she pledged to back him in the November Senate race.
Following her narrow loss to Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, Rep. Haley Stevens asserted that far-left streamer Hasan Piker ought to be condemned and questioned his relevance to the party. Speaking on NewsNation’s “Vargas Reports,” she reiterated her stance and said she does not consider Piker a Democratic figure, even suggesting that Bernie might address him. Republican National Committee national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre called Piker a “Hamas-hugging radical” and urged Democrats to formally disavow him.
Stevens also urged El-Sayed, who had appeared with Piker at campaign events and a Detroit pool party, to distance himself from the streamer. Nevertheless, she announced she will continue to support El-Sayed in the upcoming general election against Republican Mike Rogers. The Senate seat is open after Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement, making the race pivotal for control of the chamber.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights intra-party tensions as Democrats seek unity ahead of a crucial Senate contest in Michigan.
How this story developed
- Jul 20 Voters Favor Democratic Socialists Over MAGA Candidates, New Poll Shows
- Aug 7 DSA‑aligned candidates have begun winning major primary contests, including a Senate nomination in Michigan.
- Aug 8 Stevens announced she will fully back El‑Sayed for the November race.
- Aug 9 Trump posted that ending the filibuster would give Democrats extra seats, and El‑Sayed reposted the same position.
- Aug 10 Abdul El‑Sayed secured the Democratic nomination in the Michigan Senate primary.
- Aug 11 Zohran Mamdani took office as New York City mayor on Jan. 1.
- Aug 11 Francesca Hong now holds a clear lead in Wisconsin’s open governor’s race.
- Aug 11 The Democratic primary will determine if Hong, a former chef and single mother, becomes the party's nominee for governor, challenging the endorsement of retiring Gov. Tony Evers for Crowley. Hong leads in a recent poll with 38% support, while Crowley trails at 7% and other candidates have withdrawn. Her campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing, claiming 120,000 door knocks and a focus on issues such as legalizing marijuana, raising wages, and protecting freedoms. Critics warn her victory could affect donor contributions and raise questions about the party's ability to win the general election against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
- Aug 11 David Crowley re‑entered the race after receiving Gov. Tony Evers’s endorsement.
- Aug 11 Democratic leaders announced a statewide unity tour featuring a breakfast with Baldwin and Pocan and a Milwaukee rally for Crowley.
- Aug 12 With three‑quarters of votes counted, Hong and Crowley are separated by less than one point, keeping the Democratic nomination undecided.
- Aug 13 Governor Tony Evers actively campaigned for David Crowley in the Democratic primary.
- Aug 13 Mike Rogers has continued to cite the 2019 Hasan Piker comment in campaign materials.
- Aug 13 The Green Party nominated Shane Dedrick, prompting accusations of a possible Republican infiltration.
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