Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has publicly stated his opposition to former primary rival Haley Stevens attending his campaign events, signaling ongoing friction between the two.

El-Sayed, who won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate race in Michigan, made his stance clear on Saturday, indicating a desire to avoid any potential disruptions as his campaign progresses.

The move comes after a period of political competition during the Democratic primaries, where El-Sayed and Stevens vied for the party's nomination. El-Sayed's campaign has expressed a need for focus, with the nominee himself stating, "I don't want any distractions."

This public declaration from El-Sayed suggests a continued lack of political unity within the Michigan Democratic party following the primary elections. The Senate race is expected to be highly competitive, making a cohesive party front crucial.

Stevens, who represented Michigan's 11th Congressional District, was a notable contender in the primary. Her absence from El-Sayed's events could be seen as a sign of lingering political differences or a strategic move by El-Sayed to control his campaign narrative and messaging.

El-Sayed's campaign is now focused on the general election, where he will face the Republican nominee. The nominee's decision to distance himself from a former primary opponent underscores the challenges of consolidating support and maintaining a unified campaign message.

Supporters of both El-Sayed and Stevens will be watching to see how this political dynamic plays out and whether it impacts the broader efforts to rally Democratic voters across the state. The nominee's primary objective remains to secure victory in the upcoming general election.

The specific nature of the "distractions" El-Sayed wishes to avoid was not detailed, but the statement indicates a clear boundary has been drawn by the Senate nominee regarding his former primary opponent's presence at his campaign functions.