Debbie Dingell pushes Hasan Piker out of focus in Michigan Senate race
Why it matters: Dingell urged Abdul El-Sayed to distance himself as Democrats try to keep the race centered on health care and costs.
Rep. Debbie Dingell told reporters to stop asking her about streamer Hasan Piker as she campaigned Wednesday for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, arguing Republicans were trying to turn him into a campaign issue. At a student town hall with El-Sayed and Rep. Jamie Raskin, Dingell said she disagreed with Piker on Israel and called some of his comments about women and rape “simply inexcusable.” In a later CNN appearance, she said El-Sayed needed to make clear he did not share Piker’s views and added that she hoped Piker would stay out of Michigan through the election. Dingell’s office later said she would not take more questions about him and wanted the campaign focused on health care, affordability and hunger.