Michigan Democrats are locked in a deepening internal conflict that is overshadowing their Senate campaign against Republican Mike Rogers. Progressive nominee Abdul El-Sayed's campaign has asked former primary opponent Rep. Haley Stevens to stay away from upcoming events, according to sources close to the race.

The request follows public criticism from Stevens and her fiancé, Jason Turkish, who announced he plans to vote for Rogers. Turkish cited El-Sayed's rhetoric on Israel and Gaza as making members of the Jewish community feel unsafe. Stevens, who lost the August primary to El-Sayed, has said she will support the nominee but urged his campaign to denounce hate and divisive outside ads.

El-Sayed responded by accusing Stevens of trying to relitigate the primary that ended months ago. A planned unity event this Sunday featuring South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn at a Detroit church is now likely to exclude Stevens.

The tensions highlight broader divisions within the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates. El-Sayed has focused on expanding the coalition to include college students and rural voters while facing accusations of insufficient outreach to traditional supporters, including Black voters and Jewish Democrats.

An independent ad from the left-wing Rebellion PAC that connected U.S. support for Israel to rising grocery prices added fuel to the fire. El-Sayed distanced his campaign from the spot.

These fractures come as Democrats hope voter frustration with President Trump and economic issues will carry them to victory in the pivotal state. Yet the ongoing feud risks depressing turnout among key groups and handing Republicans an edge in a contest that could influence Senate control.

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, another former primary candidate, called for an end to the infighting. Republicans have pointed to the discord as evidence of Democratic disarray on issues like foreign policy and party unity.

The race remains competitive, but the internal strife has persisted long after the primary and shows no signs of resolution before Election Day.