Senator John Fetterman responded to being labeled an "ogre" by progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed with a concise "I'll take Senator Shrek." El-Sayed, who is running in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, made the "ogre" comment in a leaked campaign Zoom call.
During the call, El-Sayed discussed his strategy for advancing progressive policies, particularly during the final two years of a potential Donald Trump presidency. He suggested that a primary challenge against sitting senators like Fetterman, a more moderate Democrat from Pennsylvania, would be a viable tactic. "Primarying people like John Fetterman, I have no problem to do that," El-Sayed stated, according to audio obtained by Politico Playbook. He added, "Ideally, you put one ogre on a pike, and then everyone else gets the message."
Fetterman, known for his imposing stature, has been the subject of "ogre" comparisons before, including in a social media video from El-Sayed in May. His response, associating El-Sayed with scandal-plagued former candidate Graham Platner, also included a jab at the "Pontiac Platner" moniker.
Fetterman is not up for re-election until 2028. El-Sayed, whose policy platform includes abolishing ICE, ending the filibuster, placing an arms embargo on Israel, taxing billionaires, and implementing Medicare for All, is seeking to unseat incumbent Representative Haley Stevens in the upcoming Michigan primary. Stevens' campaign criticized El-Sayed for focusing on national issues and "personal insults" rather than Michigan-specific concerns.
El-Sayed and Stevens are scheduled for their final debate prior to the August 4 primary. The winner of that primary will face former Representative Mike Rogers in the general election. El-Sayed's campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail.