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Hello, my fellow Americans. I hope this message finds you well and resilient during these challenging times. I want to briefly acknowledge my absence over the past month, which I spent traveling abroad—a necessary break after feeling constantly inundated with negative news. Now that I’m back in the United States, I feel refreshed and ready to share my thoughts on a recent scandal within the pro-democracy community. If you’d like to send polite wishes for good mental health, I encourage you to leave them in the comments section of this article. I hope you understand that writing about political issues can be taxing, but I continue to do so because it is my way of contributing to the preservation of the 250-year-old experiment we call democracy. As a member of Generation Z, these challenges fall to my generation to address, since Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers have largely passed them down. I deeply appreciate the millions of young people who show up to the polls, voting for candidates who reflect their values, and who also dedicate time to volunteer for these campaigns. It is important to recognize that favoring DSA-endorsed candidates over more moderate Democrats should not provoke undue criticism. Such divisions echo the historical attacks on Democrats who resisted zero-sum Red Scare rhetoric in the 1920s, 1950s, and 1960s, when political slurs like “Communist” or “Dirty Commie” cost people their jobs and strained personal relationships—impacting immigrants and other minorities most severely. So, to wrap up my intro, I just want to say that this piece is my personal take on a scandal that recently shook the Senatorial race in Michigan—the very same swing state where Ford Motor Company got its start over a hundred years ago.
I am not sure if you are aware, but Representative Haley Stevens had a rough weekend for multiple reasons. Most notably, she allegedly endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, sparking outrage among both the Democratic base and establishment. Here’s what makes this scandal particularly striking: during the Michigan Primary, Stevens criticized Rogers by linking him to Donald Trump’s influence over the Republican Party. After attacking both Rogers and her Democratic opponent, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and ultimately losing the Primary, she then endorsed her former primary opponent—until now. Over the weekend, she reversed her stance by endorsing the Republican candidate running against the Egyptian-American Democratic nominee. In my view, this endorsement significantly undermines her prospects for a successful re-election campaign. Surprisingly, there has been little public demand for her to resign from her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, even as the Democratic establishment has distanced itself from her. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker publicly criticized her decision, and prominent Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, have also condemned the endorsement on social media. Notably, Schumer and Jeffries, typically aligned with the party’s moderate wing, have historically criticized Abdul El-Sayed as either too left-leaning or controversial to win a Senate seat in Michigan. However, Stevens’ endorsement of Mike Rogers, combined with reports that her fiancé plans to vote Republican and has made offensive remarks about El-Sayed online, has prompted both the Democratic establishment and the party’s base to rally firmly behind the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s upcoming Senate race.
As an Independent voter in Generation Z—the generation with the largest share of non-affiliated voters—I see Stevens’ endorsement as a major setback for her future political prospects. Learning that El-Sayed is leading Rogers by 11 points is both surprising and reassuring. If you live in Michigan, I urge you to do two things: first, share your perspective on Stevens’s endorsement in the comments section; second, on Election Day tomorrow, head to your polling place and vote for Dr. El-Sayed, even if some of his positions stretch your comfort zone. Choosing not to vote effectively supports Mike Rogers. The lessons from 2016 and 2024 are clear: elections are decided not just by external interference but by those who abstain. On Election Day, vote as if the future of American democracy depends on it—because it truly does. Reflecting on the 2016 and 2024 elections, Donald Trump’s narrow victories—despite polls favoring candidates like former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—underscore just how critical every vote can be. Increased turnout among Democratic-leaning voters could have changed these results, just as low participation played a decisive role in 2016. While Trump narrowly won the Electoral College in 2024 by carrying key swing states such as Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, his level of support differed from 2016. This makes it all the more important to vote, as the future of our 250-year-old democratic experiment hinges on whether Democrats like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed secure victories in the midterms and help regain control of the Federal Legislature in January 2027. As I shared in my last article, the Senate has a huge impact on how our tax dollars are spent and who gets to lead important agencies like the SEC and the Department of Transportation. If Democrats like Abdul El-Sayed take their seats next session, it could mean stronger oversight of both our finances and the appointments that shape our government. And if any of the six Republican Supreme Court Justices retire next year, Senators like El-Sayed will have a real say in who fills those spots. So, if you’re frustrated with how things are going under a Republican-controlled House and Senate, make your voice count—vote in numbers that can’t be ignored. Don’t let apathy win; show up and make a difference.
To wrap this up, history shows us how dangerous voter apathy can be. Almost a hundred years ago, after World War I ended and the Treaty of Versailles left Europe in shambles, the 1929 Stock Market Crash made things even worse, plunging the continent into the Great Depression. People lost faith in democracy, which gave extreme right-wing groups a chance to swoop in with promises of national pride and a return to better days. In Germany, Hitler and the Nazis took advantage of economic struggles and resentment over harsh reparations, while in Italy, Mussolini and his Fascists capitalized on frustration about what their country got out of the war. This wasn’t just a European problem—similar movements popped up in North America, showing that when people check out, dangerous ideas can gain traction.
Long ago but not so very long ago, I came across a report on Democracy Now! suggesting that Elon Musk’s grandfather on his dad’s side was involved in a failed fascist movement in Canada. After the plot collapsed, he and his family were put under house arrest—a punishment that honestly seems way too lenient. Even after that, they apparently held onto white supremacist beliefs and eventually moved to apartheid South Africa, finding like-minded communities there. It’s striking to consider this history in light of Elon Musk’s controversial salute at Trump’s inauguration last January—a gesture infamously associated with Hitler and his followers. If you believe that justifying or praising Hitler’s actions during WWII is unacceptable, make your voice heard by voting in overwhelming numbers to counter far-right influence.
A/N : A/N: This article presents an opinion on a recent political scandal. I invite readers to leave thoughtful and respectful comments that relate to the topic. You can also show your support by clicking the “Recommend” button just below the article’s title. Remember the lesson from the last Presidential Election: every vote counts. When voting, prioritize candidates’