Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is actively promoting an endorsement from Horace Sheffield III, a Detroit pastor and radio host who has previously expressed admiration for Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan. Sheffield endorsed El-Sayed on air in November 2025, an occasion El-Sayed marked with a press release stating he was "deeply honored" by the support.

In a 2013 speech introducing Farrakhan to a gathering of religious leaders, Sheffield praised the cleric and suggested that outside forces were slandering him. "We need someone to give us direction. I believe we have a leader here that can organize us," Sheffield said, referring to Farrakhan, according to a media outlet founded by Farrakhan.

Farrakhan himself has a history of controversial statements, including accusations that Jews are "wicked deceivers" and have "sucked their blood." He also suggested in 1997 that people would "never be free in this country" until liberated from the "tremendous amount of influence" Jews exert over the American government. In 2012, he reportedly stated that "Jews are the most violent of people," and in 2018, he referred to Jews as "termites."

Despite these controversial associations, El-Sayed's campaign has engaged with Sheffield. In June, Sheffield visited El-Sayed's campaign office to film a promotional video. The Washington Free Beacon reported that El-Sayed's campaign paid a nonprofit led by Sheffield $75,000 for "consulting" fees between October 2025 and June of the current year.

Sheffield's past actions have drawn scrutiny. His previous radio station suspended him in 2018 after he endorsed Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar's unsuccessful bid for Michigan governor, following receipt of tens of thousands of dollars in "consulting" fees from Thanedar. The endorsements could present Republicans with campaign material against El-Sayed, particularly given past accusations of antisemitism surrounding his campaign.

El-Sayed stated following the endorsement, "I’m deeply honored to have Rev. Sheffield’s support. His lifelong commitment to justice, faith, and service embodies the very best of Detroit." He added, "We’re building a coalition that believes politics should be about people, and together we’ll fight to deliver dignity, opportunity, and equity for every Michigander."

Representatives for El-Sayed and Sheffield did not respond to requests for comment.