AOC Backs Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Democratic Senate Primary
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supports former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. The New York Times first reported this endorsement as one of the progressive congresswoman’s significant actions this midterm cycle.
Ocasio-Cortez stated, “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. He is building a winning coalition by putting forward an agenda that speaks directly to working people.”
El-Sayed is in a three-way primary against Representative Haley Stevens and State Senator Mallory McMorrow for the August race. The winner will compete in November’s notably close battleground race. McMorrow’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while a Stevens’ campaign spokesperson declined to comment.
This marks the first time Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed a candidate in a contested Senate primary, bypassing others in states like Maine, Texas, and Iowa.
Progressive candidates have gained traction in recent congressional primaries, and El-Sayed, who presents himself as the most progressive in this primary, is gaining momentum. At a rally in Detroit on May 3, El-Sayed said, “AOC has spent her career taking on the powerful on behalf of everyday people, and she has shown all of us what courageous, smart, values-driven leadership looks like. I’m deeply honored to earn her endorsement. Onward to victory.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement contrasts with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who supports Stevens. Stevens has other endorsements, including The Detroit News editorial board and Senators Ruben Gallego, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Chris Coons. McMorrow is endorsed by the Detroit Free Press editorial board, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Murphy, and Martin Heinrich.
Ocasio-Cortez views El-Sayed as the electable candidate amid Democratic discussions on candidate viability in battleground areas. Michigan, won by former President Donald Trump in 2024, is seen as crucial for Democrats attempting to regain Senate control. Before Trump, President Joe Biden won the state in 2020.
With Senator Gary Peters retiring, the Democratic primary winner will likely face Republican former Representative Mike Rogers, who previously narrowly lost to Senator Elissa Slotkin by less than 0.5 percentage points.