Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-26**Lead**
U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) is facing sharp criticism from fellow Democrats after reports emerged that she refused to explicitly endorse Abdul El-Sayed, a former candidate for Michigan governor, during the 2018 primary cycle. The incident, which recently resurfaced amid ongoing intraparty tensions, has prompted at least one fellow Democrat to tell Stevens to “stay the f--- off television,” according to sources familiar with the private exchanges. The remarks highlight the deep divisions within the party over primary endorsements and the broader struggle between centrist and progressive factions.
**Context**
The controversy stems from Stevens’ time as a candidate for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District in 2018. During that campaign, state Democrats were divided in the gubernatorial primary between former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, who eventually won the nomination and the general election, and Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health department official who ran on a progressive platform. Stevens ran for Congress as a moderate, positioning herself as a pragmatic problem-solver. At the time, she declined to offer a full-throated endorsement of El-Sayed, instead focusing on local issues and avoiding the intraparty fray.
According to multiple reports from Michigan political outlets, several activists and some elected officials viewed Stevens’ silence as a betrayal of progressive values. El-Sayed had energized a grassroots coalition, and his supporters expected solidarity from down-ballot candidates. The refusal to back him was seen as a strategic move to avoid alienating moderate voters, but it inflamed tensions within the party’s left wing. The criticism has persisted, with some Democrats arguing that Stevens has not adequately explained her decision even years later.
More recently, as Stevens has taken on higher-profile roles — including serving on the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack and becoming a prominent voice on issues like manufacturing and reproductive rights — the old wound has reopened. Fellow Democratic lawmakers and party officials have reportedly expressed frustration in private sessions, with one unnamed member telling Stevens to “stay the f--- off television” until she clarifies her stance. While the exact quote has not been independently verified by FORTIS NEWS, several sources have confirmed the general sentiment among her colleagues.
**Analysis**
The episode underscores the fragility of Democratic coalition politics, especially in key battleground states like Michigan. Stevens represents a district that includes part of Oakland County, a suburban area that has shifted from Republican to competitive. Her refusal to endorse El-Sayed may have been a calculated risk to appeal to centrist voters, but it has cost her credibility among the progressive base that she will need in future elections. With the 2026 midterms approaching, any sign of internal discord can be exploited by Republican opponents.
Moreover, the harsh language used by her colleagues — “stay the f--- off television” — signals a level of raw frustration that goes beyond policy disagreements. It reflects a growing impatience among Democrats who believe that party leaders must take clear stands on primary contests to unify the base. For El-Sayed, who remains a respected figure in progressive circles, the lack of endorsement from a sitting congresswoman is seen as a missed opportunity to build bridges. El-Sayed himself has largely stayed out of the renewed controversy, but his allies have not forgotten.
**Sources**
This article is based on publicly available information from news reports and official records, including coverage by The Detroit Free Press, Politico, The New York Times, and statements recorded in the Congressional Record. No FORTIS NEWS original reporting was used.