Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate, in the high-profile Democratic primary for Michigan's open Senate seat, signaling a significant clash with the party establishment. El-Sayed is competing to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
El-Sayed, who has consistently been backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, faces centrist Rep. Haley Stevens, who has tacit support from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer and other establishment figures view Stevens as more electable in the battleground state, which President Trump carried in 2016. Democrats are aiming to regain the Senate majority in the upcoming midterm elections.
Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive voice, stated her belief that El-Sayed offers the best chance for victory. "Despite our ideological differences and whatever disagreements there are in the party, every single one of us sees this moment as existential," she told The New York Times. "And I think many people are willing to put aside differences in order to give us the best chance at winning. And I think that Abdul gives us that right now."
This endorsement is Ocasio-Cortez's first in a contested Democratic Senate primary this cycle and could galvanize progressive activists. However, it may create challenges for establishment leaders concerned that El-Sayed's nomination could jeopardize the Democratic-held seat by pushing the party too far left.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former public health official, has centered his campaign on policies such as Medicare for All. He also advocates for abolishing ICE and has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in the war with Hamas, characterizing them as "genocide" against Palestinians. He has pledged not to accept PAC donations, a stance aligned with his campaign as a top surrogate for Sanders' 2020 presidential run.
In contrast, Stevens has benefited from significant super PAC spending, including funds from Israel-aligned groups. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow is also a major candidate in the primary, positioning herself as a progressive between El-Sayed and Stevens. Current polling suggests El-Sayed is the frontrunner.
This is not the first time Ocasio-Cortez has supported El-Sayed; she also endorsed his unsuccessful 2018 Michigan gubernatorial bid. El-Sayed expressed honor at her support, telling The New York Times, "I’m honored for what her support says about what this campaign is building and what we’re fighting for." He also directly addressed Schumer, stating the Senate leader "doesn’t want to see me on the inside of the U.S. Senate."
The Democratic nominee will face former Rep. Mike Rogers in the general election. Rogers is expected to secure the Republican nomination after narrowly losing to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024. Political handicappers currently rate the Michigan Senate race as a toss-up. The Michigan Republican Party characterized Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement as predictable, with Senior Communications Adviser Greg Manz stating the race is a choice "between the crazy agenda of AOC and Abdul El-Sayed or the commonsense values of Michigan working families."