A bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that describes itself as “queer friendly” and advocates “for a free Palestine” apologized after learning it had hosted an event for Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), saying it had not been told she would attend.
“We are heartbroken as we pride ourselves on being not only a queer friendly space but also have advocated and continue to call for a free Palestine,” Pux Cider Taphouse said in a statement posted to Instagram. “We DO NOT endorse Haley Stevens.”
The bar said it had agreed to host what organizers described as a “private women’s Dem event” and was never informed that Stevens would be connected to it.
Stevens has drawn criticism from some on the far-Left over the nearly $30 million that AIPAC, the pro-Israel advocacy group, and affiliated political organizations have invested in backing her campaign.
Pux Cider Taphouse said it would “be more vigilant in requesting specific details for private events in the future” and announced it “will be donating the proceeds tonight to the Grand Rapids Pride Center.”
The taphouse is located next door to the Kent County Democratic Party headquarters. The event took place on Monday, one day before Michigan Democrats head to the polls in the party’s U.S. Senate primary.
Stevens is facing former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed, who has been endorsed by top Democratic Socialists such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). An Emerson College Polling survey released ahead of Tuesday’s primary found El-Sayed leading Stevens 54% to 39%.
The candidates have drawn sharp contrasts on Israel.
El-Sayed has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and has called for the United States to cut off military aid to the country. Stevens has consistently backed Israel’s right to defend itself and has maintained support for the U.S.-Israel alliance.
“There is a clear age divide in the Democratic Primary: voters under 50 break for El-Sayed by 42 percentage points, 67% to 25%, and that gap tightens among voters in their 50s to a 12-point lead, and voters over 60 flip to Stevens by a 14-point margin, 53% to 39%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.
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