Sanders faces pressure to fund El-Sayed amid steep Democratic cash shortfall in Michigan
Bernie Sanders said he will do everything possible to help Abdul El-Sayed win the Michigan Senate race, but Democrats lag far behind Republicans in spending.
Bernie Sanders, holding more than $22 million in his campaign war chest, told one outlet he will exhaust every avenue to secure Abdul El-Sayed’s election to the U.S. Senate. He has not dismissed the idea of moving funds to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which, under a recent Supreme Court decision, can spend unlimited amounts in coordination with candidates. Democrats confront a sizable disadvantage, with the Senate Leadership Fund already investing $51 million in Michigan, AIPAC expected to spend millions to block El-Sayed, and Republican nominee Mike Rogers recognized as a top fundraiser.
The Democratic Senate Majority PAC is allocating $20 million for television advertising and a robust digital effort, but the disparity persists. Sanders emphasized grassroots mobilization as a counterweight to Republican money, while a Democratic strategist cautioned that abandoning El-Sayed could jeopardize a pivotal Senate seat and the broader movement.
Why it matters
The outcome will affect Senate control and highlights the growing role of money in U.S. elections.
How this story developed
- Jul 20 Voters Favor Democratic Socialists Over MAGA Candidates, New Poll Shows
- Aug 5 Donald Trump praised Abdul El‑Sayed’s primary win as an advantage for the Michigan GOP.
- Aug 6 Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic primary for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, beating centrist Haley Stevens.
- Aug 6 Rep. Pramila Jayapal said Michigan Republicans intend to vote for El‑Sayed.
- Aug 7 President Donald Trump denounced El‑Sayed on Truth Social and El‑Sayed reposted the comment, emphasizing their shared opposition to the filibuster.
- Aug 7 DSA‑aligned candidates have begun winning major primary contests, including a Senate nomination in Michigan.
- Aug 8 Stevens announced she will fully back El‑Sayed for the November race.
- Aug 9 Trump posted that ending the filibuster would give Democrats extra seats, and El‑Sayed reposted the same position.
- Aug 11 Zohran Mamdani took office as New York City mayor on Jan. 1.
- Aug 11 Francesca Hong now holds a clear lead in Wisconsin’s open governor’s race.
- Aug 11 The Democratic primary will determine if Hong, a former chef and single mother, becomes the party's nominee for governor, challenging the endorsement of retiring Gov. Tony Evers for Crowley. Hong leads in a recent poll with 38% support, while Crowley trails at 7% and other candidates have withdrawn. Her campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing, claiming 120,000 door knocks and a focus on issues such as legalizing marijuana, raising wages, and protecting freedoms. Critics warn her victory could affect donor contributions and raise questions about the party's ability to win the general election against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
- Aug 11 David Crowley re‑entered the race after receiving Gov. Tony Evers’s endorsement.
- Aug 11 Democratic leaders announced a statewide unity tour featuring a breakfast with Baldwin and Pocan and a Milwaukee rally for Crowley.
- Aug 12 With three‑quarters of votes counted, Hong and Crowley are separated by less than one point, keeping the Democratic nomination undecided.
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