Politics
Bernie Sanders accuses Democratic establishment of resisting Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed
The Vermont senator claims party leaders and donors are hesitant to back El-Sayed, who faces scrutiny over past comments and past campaign ties.
The short version
- Senator Bernie Sanders claimed top Democratic leaders and donors may prefer Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed lose due to progressive positions on wealth and U.S. policy toward Israel.
- Democratic strategist Yemisi Egbewole dismissed Sanders' framing, stating the party wants a Senate majority and that El-Sayed must focus on consolidating voters after a tight primary.
- El-Sayed faces scrutiny from Republicans and fellow Democrats over his association with streamer Hasan Piker and past remarks following a Michigan synagogue attack.
- El-Sayed apologized for his synagogue attack comments and urged voters to focus on state economic issues, while recent polling shows him in a tight race with Republican Mike Rogers.
Key facts
- Senator Bernie Sanders told Politico Playbook that a small group of Democratic leaders and donors are unenthusiastic about nominee Abdul El-Sayed because progressives challenge oligarchy and U.S. policy regarding Israel.[Fox News]
- Democratic strategist Yemisi Egbewole pushed back against Sanders' claims, asserting that the party seeks a Senate majority and that primary runner-up Representative Haley Stevens endorsed El-Sayed.[Fox News]
- Abdul El-Sayed issued an apology for stating 'Hurt people, hurt people' following a March terrorist attack on a Michigan synagogue, acknowledging it was not the time to offer context.[Fox News]
- El-Sayed has faced criticism over his primary-season association with streamer Hasan Piker, whose recent comments on Israel and American Jews were condemned by several prominent Democrats.[Fox News]
- RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre sharply criticized El-Sayed's record and past associations, describing him as an extremist unfit for national security responsibilities.[Fox News]
- Recent polling from Fox News and AARP indicates El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers are within the margin of error in the U.S. Senate race.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which Democratic donors or party officials are actively withholding support from El-Sayed remains unverified beyond Sanders' assertions.[Fox News]