Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Highlights Progressive Stakes in Michigan Senate Race
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that a victory for Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate race could significantly alter the American political landscape.
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asserted that the Michigan Senate race holds significant stakes for progressives, suggesting that a win for candidate Abdul El-Sayed could "break open the entire political calculus of America."
Speaking at a Monday night fundraiser for El-Sayed in New York, Ocasio-Cortez stated, "If Abdul can win in Michigan, anybody can win anywhere," according to audio of her remarks obtained by ABC News.
El-Sayed is challenging Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, in a race that could influence control of the Senate. Ocasio-Cortez argued that El-Sayed and other progressive candidates are challenging established political norms and demonstrating the potential appeal of progressive policies beyond liberal strongholds.
"Can you imagine five years ago, four years ago saying that the Democratic nominee for Senate in a statewide race in Michigan just after Democrats lost to Donald Trump, is a man, a Muslim doctor, by the name of Abdul El-Sayed?" Ocasio-Cortez asked, referencing Trump's 2024 victory in the key battleground state. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim senator.
She further elaborated on the broader implications for progressive movements, stating, "We have written a check on the left, saying if you champion these policies that have popular support, we can win. And now it is time to cash in. Now it is time to go out and show what we are capable of."
Ocasio-Cortez, who is contemplating her future political endeavors and potential higher office bids in 2028, framed the current efforts as part of a larger, long-term project. "This project is not about one race, it's not about one cycle or any one person," she said.
She outlined plans to organize voters in disenfranchised communities nationwide, citing efforts to support candidates like Justin Pearson in Tennessee and Angie Nixon in Florida. "We are going to work to elect people like [congressional candidate] Justin Pearson in Tennessee. We are going to work to elect people like [Senate candidate] Angie Nixon in Florida, and we are going to break the electoral map everywhere. Everywhere, because that is what it is going to take to guarantee health care to every American in the United States," she added.
When asked earlier in the year about potential presidential aspirations, Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News' Jon Karl that "I haven't ruled out the possibility."