Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, a move that defies party leadership and aligns her with a progressive challenger to the party establishment. El-Sayed is running against Rep. Haley Stevens, who has the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Ocasio-Cortez stated in an interview with The New York Times that El-Sayed, similar to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, possesses the ability to engage voters effectively through social media. "I think we've now kind of crossed this Rubicon where online and digital messaging is no longer a niche. It is a core competency, just like any other," she said.
El-Sayed's platform includes policies such as abolishing ICE, ending the filibuster, imposing an arms embargo on Israel, increasing taxes on billionaires, and implementing Medicare for All. In a leaked campaign conference call following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, El-Sayed indicated a reluctance to comment on the event, noting that many constituents in Dearborn, Michigan, were saddened by his passing.
"There are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today," El-Sayed was recorded saying, according to audio obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. "So, I just don't want to comment on Khamenei at all. I don't think it's worth even touching that."
Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement places her in opposition to Democratic leadership, amidst ongoing speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028. "After watching this campaign unfold for well over a year, it has become clear that Abdul El-Sayed is the strongest candidate to keep this seat in November," Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement released by El-Sayed's campaign.
Recent polling suggests El-Sayed is leading in the August 4 primary, with state legislator Mallory McMorrow trailing Rep. Stevens for second place. El-Sayed also reportedly polls competitively against Republican Mike Rogers for the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
The Democratic Party has seen a rise in anti-establishment candidates seeking to regain congressional control. This trend was recently highlighted by Melat Kiros's victory over a long-serving incumbent in a Colorado House primary and by the success of three Mamdani-backed candidates in New York congressional primaries.
Republican strategists have observed this surge, with figures like Steve Bannon warning of a significant influx of progressive Democrats. Bannon commented to Politico that the Democratic Party establishment appears unprepared to counter this movement, stating, "It's very sophisticated, and it clearly resonates. This is why the Democratic Party is not going to be able to stop it. They don't fully understand it. They don't have a response."
El-Sayed's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.