Key facts
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for the Michigan US Senate nomination.
- Bernie Sanders also supports El-Sayed, criticizing the influence of "billionaire-funded super PACs" like Aipac.
- El-Sayed has criticized US military aid to Israel and described the war in Gaza as a genocide.
- The primary is seen as an ideological battle within the Democratic party.
- El-Sayed is currently leading his primary challengers in polls.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat, in the contested race for the Michigan US Senate seat. El-Sayed, a doctor and former public health director, also has the support of Senator Bernie Sanders. Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement is her first in a competitive US Senate primary this midterm cycle.
Sanders criticized the influence of major political action committees and lobbying groups, specifically naming the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) and other "billionaire-funded super PACs." He warned they are preparing to spend heavily to defeat El-Sayed, who has criticized US military aid to Israel and described the war in Gaza as a genocide. Sanders stated that El-Sayed believes the United States should not be spending billions supporting the "genocidal Netanyahu government in Israel" while domestic needs remain unmet.
The Michigan Senate primary is framed as a key ideological battle within the Democratic party, pitting insurgent candidates against establishment-backed figures. El-Sayed is currently leading his primary challengers, US Congresswoman Haley Stevens (backed by Chuck Schumer) and State Senator Mallory McMorrow (supported by Elizabeth Warren), in current polls. The winner of the Democratic primary will face former Republican representative Mike Rogers in the general election. Rogers narrowly lost to Elissa Slotkin in a previous Senate race, despite Donald Trump carrying Michigan in a prior election.