Ocasio-Cortez Endorses El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Primary

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has chosen her side in a significant Democratic Senate primary, endorsing Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. El-Sayed aims to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters and, if successful, would become the nation’s first Muslim senator. This endorsement aligns Ocasio-Cortez with another progressive leader, Senator Bernie Sanders, who supports El-Sayed.

El-Sayed faces opponents like centrist Representative Haley Stevens, who has implicit support from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer sees Stevens as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with past statements. Democrats find this Michigan race essential as they strive to regain Senate control from Republicans.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, commonly known as AOC, stated in a New York Times interview, “Despite our ideological differences and whatever disagreements there are in the party, every single one of us sees this moment as existential.”

This is her first endorsement in a contested Democratic Senate primary this cycle, energizing the far-left activists supporting El-Sayed. However, it raises concerns among establishment leaders who worry El-Sayed might push the party too far left, endangering the Senate seat in a state President Donald Trump carried recently.

El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former health official, advocates for Medicare for all, abolishing ICE, and is critical of Israel’s actions against Palestinians. He’s also known for not accepting PAC donations. Stevens benefits from substantial super PAC funding, including support from Israel-aligned groups. Another contender is State Senator Mallory McMorrow, who takes a middle-ground progressive stance between El-Sayed and Stevens.

Polls indicate El-Sayed is leading. Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement in Michigan follows victories for far-left candidates in New York City and Colorado, boosting the progressive movement within the Democratic Party. This isn’t her first endorsement of El-Sayed; she supported him in his 2018 Michigan gubernatorial bid.

The Democratic nominee will face former Representative Mike Rogers in the general election. Rogers, the likely Republican candidate, narrowly lost to Senator Elissa Slotkin in 2024. Political analysts consider the Michigan Senate race a toss-up.

The Michigan GOP dismissed Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement as unsurprising. Senior Communications Adviser Greg Manz criticized the choice between the “crazy agenda of AOC and Abdul El-Sayed” versus “commonsense values of Michigan working families.”