Michigan Senate hopeful drops progressive endorsements in new campaign spot

Abdul el Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, aired a new general-election commercial that mirrors his primary ad but removes references to endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Instead, the spot spotlights his connections to labor unions, his small-town roots, and testimonials from his grandparents about his medical career and community service.

The decision comes as progressives criticize Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez for their role in Francesca Hong’s narrow loss in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. El Sayed, who edged out fellow Democrat Haley Stevens by one point in the primary, now faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman and 2024 Senate hopeful, who is running ads promising trade-skill training and lower housing costs. One outlet average places Rogers slightly ahead of el Sayed by 0.3 points, though no fresh polls have emerged since the primary. Both campaigns are tailoring messages to appeal to moderate Democrats and independents ahead of the November vote.