Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens trade jabs and push policies in U.S. Senate primary debate [lnOVZpq7tAs]
Former public health official Abdul El-Sayed and Congresswoman Haley Stevens went head to head Tuesday night in a Grand Rapids debate as the August primary nears. The candidates took jabs at each other almost immediately, with both alleging lies at one point, as they seek to carry the Democratic party’s mantel for U.S. Senate. "We do not need a celebrity senator. We need a workhorse," Stevens said. Each candidate returned to attacks throughout the debate. "We also don't need politicians bought off by corporations," El-Sayed said. From El-Sayed's criticisms of Stevens taking money from corporations and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), to her jabs at the lack of a financial disclosure from El-Sayed. "No one owns my vote and no one owns my policies," Stevens said. "Anyone who is contributing to my Senate campaign is doing so because of my proven record of fighting for Michigan." El-Sayed defended the lack of a disclosure by saying he's seeking an extension and that his family has international assets, which he wants to track correctly. "I took the same extension that the congresswoman took," he said. Affordability topped the debate, and it's a leading issue for El-Sayed, specifically with healthcare. "Number one: we need to tackle healthcare by guaranteeing everybody healthcare without a deductible, a premium, or a co-pay through Medicare for all," he said. "Number two: we need to stand up to the monopolies and oligopolies that are picking our pockets. Number three: we need to stand up for increased wages." Stevens noted legislation she’s worked on. "As your next United States senator, I will run through anyone and anything to lower costs," she said. "My no tariff on groceries bill, my bill to lower your utility bill. Look, I'm the only person running for United States senate in Michigan who is not a millionaire." The war with Iran was another hot topic. El-Sayed blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Ask yourself why it is that we are paying $5 gas, why it is we can't seem to get out of this quagmire," he said. "It's because for too long, our foreign policy has been handed to us by the likes of the state of Israel and AIPAC" Stevens took issue to El-Sayed's assertions she’s beholden to Israel, criticizing Netanyahu herself. "We need long term peace," she said. "Donald Trump has failed us, the prime minister of Israel has failed in that regard, and he was just coming after me on this today." On immigration, each came out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with El-Sayed seeking abolition and Stevens pointing the finger at Trump. On data centers, both took a strong line on companies and billionaires. China also came up, as El-Sayed hit at corporations and Stevens said China must be curtailed. Each pledged to protect social programs like social security, as well. In closing for El-Sayed, he said it's the many versus the money. "It just shouldn't be this hard," he said. "It shouldn't be this hard to afford groceries, it shouldn't be this hard to pay your rent. Shouldn't be this hard to see a doctor in the richest, most powerful country in the world." For Stevens, she said she's fed up with Michiganders "getting screwed over." "I am fired up to lead for us on day one, when it matters," Stevens said. "To be in this fight alongside you and your families, all 83 counties in this incredible state of ours, the largest state geographically east of the Mississippi, deserves its workforce, and that is me." Each candidate said they felt they got their message across and that voters know where they stand. Following the debate, the candidates spoke to reporters and gave their take on whether they can win against Republican Mike Rogers in November. It's something they have attacked each other on. "I will run circles around him, talking and defending and protecting our manufacturing sector and standing up for our freedoms and our democracy as Republicans try and trample the Black vote in this country," Stevens said. _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WWMT on Facebook: WWMT on Twitter: Subscribe to WWMT on YouTube: WWMT Daily News Digest: For more information, visit Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 800.875.3333 WWMT is a MI based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WWMT #NEWSCHANNEL3 #Kalamazoo #Michigan