A former member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has sharply criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, labeling him "dishonest" and "sanctimonious." The former DSA member, Jake Altman, also issued a broader warning about what he perceives as the far-left wing of the Democratic Party importing the political strategies of groups like Hezbollah.
Altman, who previously worked for labor unions, stated that the DSA began incorporating more extreme factions, including Marxists and Leninists, around 2014 and 2015. He claims this shift coincided with similar elements gaining influence in labor unions, aiming to use workers for a broader political agenda to steer the Democratic Party further left. Altman left the movement at that time, believing it had become "very susceptible to extremist takeover."
"My fear is we've seen the left wing of the Democratic Party import the politics of Hezbollah into the United States, and now we're living with the sectarian aftermath of that," Altman told Fox News Digital. He advocated for broad support of candidates who are patriotic and focused on serving constituents, rather than engaging in "sectarian politics."
Altman's criticism of El-Sayed stems from personal encounters. He noted that he had met El-Sayed several times and had worked closely with El-Sayed's father, a union president. Altman recounted an interaction at the Michigan Democratic Party nominating convention, where El-Sayed allegedly questioned Altman's criticisms of his campaign. Altman stated that El-Sayed claimed his campaign does not engage in political mudslinging, a notion Altman disputes.
"We see that the guy is not a straight shooter, he's not an honest broker," Altman said. He pointed to El-Sayed's own remarks about a primary opponent, which Altman characterized as demeaning, to counter El-Sayed's perceived stance of being above such tactics.
Altman described the current DSA as significantly different from a decade prior, characterizing the older generation as part of a tolerant, liberal tradition that engaged productively with the Democratic Party. He highlighted the DSA's August 2025 vote to remove its prohibition on Leninists operating within the organization as a clear indicator of this shift. Altman also identified current DSA co-chair Megan Romer as a "Marxist-Leninist" and a supporter of the Cuban regime, citing her recent trip to Cuba where she reportedly praised the country and criticized the U.S. embargo.
El-Sayed is currently campaigning against Republican former congressman Mike Rogers in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms. His campaign has faced scrutiny regarding his association with streamer Hasan Piker, whom El-Sayed invited on the campaign trail. Piker has made controversial statements in the past, including comments about 9/11, praise for Mao Zedong, and antisemitic remarks. El-Sayed has largely dismissed these associations, referring to Piker as a "streamer from California."