All members of the Squad back Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate primary

According to the El-Sayed campaign, all eight current members of the informal progressive caucus called the Squad have thrown their support behind his bid for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan. The group includes Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, Delia Ramirez and Greg Casar, each of whom has a history of affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America.

Although El-Sayed has publicly rejected a socialist label and says he believes in regulated capitalism, his past fundraising and speaking engagements with DSA have been highlighted by opponents. The unified endorsement intensifies the ideological contrast with his primary opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, who is viewed as more moderate. Republican National Senatorial Committee regional press secretary Samantha Cantrell characterized the Squad’s support as a “radical, socialist, anti-American agenda” that will be rejected by voters. The campaign did not respond to a request for comment.