Squad Supports Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Primary

Every member of the ‘Squad,’ an informal group of left-wing congress members, has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed before Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, as stated on his campaign website. The Squad includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib from Michigan, Summer Lee from Pennsylvania, Delia Ramirez from Illinois, and Greg Casar from Texas.

Several present and past members of the Squad have had ties with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization from which El-Sayed is distancing himself in his effort to appear more moderate ahead of the general election in a battleground state. These endorsements emphasize the ideological divisions in the upcoming primary, linking El-Sayed with the Democratic Party’s most notable progressive faction. This link emerges even as El-Sayed rejects the socialist label and seeks to establish himself as a viable candidate in Michigan.

The backing from the Squad provides Republicans with an early avenue of attack, should El-Sayed defeat his centrist opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, and advance to the general election. National Republican Senatorial Committee regional press secretary Samantha Cantrell commented on the endorsements. She stated they represent a continuation of a ‘radical, socialist, anti-American agenda’ that will be rejected by Michigan voters at the ballot.

Recently, Greg Casar joined in endorsing El-Sayed, praising his campaign as a strong pro-working class effort. He highlighted the need for such partners in the Senate to advocate for policies like getting money out of politics and achieving Medicare for All.

Despite being endorsed by self-described socialists and his prior participation in DSA events, El-Sayed insists he is not a socialist. He told The Wall Street Journal that he does not align with the DSA both technically and practically. He also emphasized in a CNN interview his belief in capitalism, albeit a regulated form.

As El-Sayed faces Stevens in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, polls reported by the New York Times suggest he maintains a comfortable lead. The El-Sayed campaign did not provide comments on these developments.