Bernie Sanders Accuses Dems of Wanting Their Own Michigan Nominee to Lose
Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling out the Democratic establishment for secretly hoping their own Senate nominee in Michigan goes down in flames. The Vermont independent told Politico that a small group of party leaders and wealthy donors are less than enthusiastic about Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive pick who narrowly won the primary.
El-Sayed is under fire for his ties to far-left streamer Hasan Piker, who drew bipartisan condemnation for remarks about American Jews and Israel. But Sanders says the real issue is that El-Sayed threatens the donor class and the party's cozy relationship with the Israeli government.
“You're talking about a small number of people who are at the head of the Democratic Party. You're talking about the donor class... Are they less than enthusiastic about Abdul? Yes, they are,” Sanders said.
Democrats in Disarray Over El-Sayed's Radical Ties
The RNC isn't buying Sanders' spin. National press secretary Natalie Baldassarre unloaded on El-Sayed, calling him a national security risk with a record of downplaying 9/11 and associating with radicals.
“Abdul El-Sayed is a terrorist bootlicker who downplayed 9/11, pals around with a radical streamer who thinks our country deserved it, and whose mother worked for an organization that funneled money to Osama bin Laden to orchestrate it,” Baldassarre said. “His presence in the Senate would absolutely pose a national security threat.”
El-Sayed's own party is split. Former Biden chief of staff Yemisi Egbewole told Fox News Digital that Democrats want a Senate majority and El-Sayed needs to win over voters who backed his primary rival, Rep. Haley Stevens. Stevens lost but has endorsed El-Sayed.
El-Sayed Apologizes for Synagogue Attack Comments
El-Sayed is also walking back comments he made after the March terrorist attack on a Michigan synagogue. He said “Hurt people, hurt people” in the aftermath, drawing sharp criticism from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Over the weekend, he apologized, saying he condemned the attack outright and wasn't trying to trample anyone's pain.
But he's refusing to distance himself from Piker, dismissing the streamer's controversies as “dumb things” that people should reject. When pressed by reporters at the Michigan Democratic convention, El-Sayed pivoted to kitchen-table issues.
“We're in the state of Michigan. If you want to make this race about a streamer in California, I just think you're missing the boat,” El-Sayed said. “This is about affordability in Michigan. This is about seeing a doctor in Michigan. This is about Donald Trump's disastrous policies in Michigan.”
Polling Shows a Toss-Up in Michigan
The numbers tell the story: Republican Mike Rogers leads El-Sayed 51%-47% in an August Fox News poll, within the margin of error. An AARP survey also shows a dead heat. El-Sayed has 91% of Democrats behind him, but Rogers has 96% of Republicans. That enthusiasm gap could decide the race.
Sanders is telling El-Sayed to stay focused on economics and working families. “Stay on the issues that impact working families in Michigan. Do that, you're going to win — and I think he will,” Sanders said.
But with Democrats openly questioning their own nominee's fitness, Michigan is shaping up to be a battleground where the left's infighting could hand the Senate seat to the GOP.
FAQ
Why are some Democrats unhappy with Abdul El-Sayed?
Some Democratic leaders and donors are concerned about El-Sayed's ties to far-left streamer Hasan Piker and his controversial remarks following the March terrorist attack on a Michigan synagogue. They worry these issues make him unelectable in a competitive race.
Who is Mike Rogers?
Mike Rogers is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan. He is a former congressman and FBI agent who leads El-Sayed in recent polling, though the race is within the margin of error.
What did El-Sayed say about the synagogue attack?
El-Sayed said “Hurt people, hurt people” after the March terrorist attack on a Michigan synagogue. He later apologized, saying he condemned the attack outright and didn't intend to hurt anyone.
What is Hasan Piker's role in this race?
Hasan Piker is a far-left streamer who campaigned with El-Sayed during the Democratic primary. His remarks about American Jews and Israel drew widespread condemnation, and El-Sayed has refused to distance himself from him.