Senator Bernie Sanders (I‑VT) told Politico Playbook on Monday that a handful of Democratic leaders and major donors are “less than enthusiastic” about Michigan’s U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed. Sanders said these insiders see El‑Sayed’s progressive platform as a challenge to the party’s wealthy backers and to America’s foreign‑policy approach toward Israel.
Party insiders allegedly opposed the nominee
Sanders described the opposition as coming from “the head of the Democratic Party” and the “donor class.” He suggested that a small number of powerful figures would rather see El‑Sayed lose than risk upsetting the party’s financial base.
Democratic strategists push back
Democratic strategist and former White House chief of staff for President Biden, Yemisi Egbewole, rejected Sanders’ framing. In comments to Fox News Digital, Egbewole emphasized that Democrats need a Senate majority and that El‑Sayed must consolidate support after narrowly beating Rep. Haley Stevens in the primary. He noted that El‑Sayed has apologized for remarks about the Temple Israel attack and has not campaigned with streamer Hasan Piker.
RNC condemns El‑Sayed’s record
RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre issued a statement calling El‑Sayed “a terrorist bootlicker” who downplayed 9/11 and associates with a radical streamer. She argued his presence in the Senate would pose a national‑security threat and suggested Democrats were “losing their minds” over Sanders’ support.
El‑Sayed’s controversies
El‑Sayed’s ties to far‑left streamer Hasan Piker have drawn criticism from several Democratic officials, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senators Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin, and Jacky Rosen. The streamer was condemned for remarks about American Jews and Israel. When asked about the controversy at the Michigan Democratic Party convention, El‑Sayed said the race should focus on Michigan’s affordability, health care and the impact of President Trump’s policies, not a California podcaster.
Polling and campaign focus
An August Fox News poll showed Republican nominee Mike Rogers leading El‑Sayed 51%‑47%, within the margin of error. A separate AARP survey indicated a similarly close contest. Sanders urged El‑Sayed to keep the campaign centered on economic issues that affect working families in Michigan, warning that staying on those issues would improve his chances of victory.
Local reaction
Michigan voters have expressed mixed feelings. Some appreciate El‑Sayed’s focus on health‑care costs and job creation, while others remain wary of his past comments and associations. The race remains a focal point for both progressive activists and establishment Democrats as the November election approaches.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
