Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed rebuts JD Vance's "very, very evil" label
Michigan Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed attacked Vice President JD Vance after the latter called him “very, very evil” at a Detroit rally.
At a Detroit campaign rally, Vice President JD Vance called Senate Democratic nominee Abdul el Sayed "very, very evil," sparking a heated response from the candidate. El Sayed denounced Vance’s positions on issues such as data center placement, war initiation, healthcare cuts, and tax policy, labeling each as evil. He linked the controversy to a recent car-ramming attack on a Michigan synagogue, noting the attacker’s grievance over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
The candidate also defended his progressive platform, which includes Medicare for All, eliminating medical debt, and imposing wealth and corporate taxes. Vance had previously accused el Sayed of defending the synagogue attacker and of making personal comments about his wife’s heritage. The duel underscores the ideological clash shaping the upcoming Senate contest in Michigan.
Why it matters
The clash reveals deep policy divides in a pivotal Michigan Senate race, influencing voter perceptions.
How this story developed
- Aug 17 Midterm outlook shifts as key Senate and governor contests turn competitive
- Aug 25 Tuesday runoff election was held to select the GOP nominee.
- Aug 25 University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll shows Democrat James Talarico ahead of Republican Ken Paxton.
- Aug 27 A recent gathering of Michigan Democrats highlighted lingering divisions over El‑Sayed’s comments on Israel and domestic terrorism.
- Aug 27 With primary contests finished, candidates such as Democrat Christina Hines in Michigan highlighted soaring fuel and grocery costs as voters’ chief worry, whereas Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York warned that the Democratic Socialists of America will dominate the Democratic platform. Both parties are now gearing up for the November ballot, with Democrats emphasizing the economy and Republicans continuing to portray the opposition as moving left. Internal debates reveal differing strategies on how to address voter concerns over prices and ideology.
- Aug 27 Trump arrived in Texas for a fundraising event supporting the Republican candidate.
- Aug 29 Talarico aired his first television advertisement targeting Paxton.
- Aug 30 The House scheduled a vote on a resolution denouncing socialism and the DSA.
- Aug 31 Arab‑American leaders in Dearborn publicly endorsed Abdul El‑Sayed.
- Aug 31 Report noted that Arab Christian voters in Michigan tend to lean Republican while Muslim voters have largely backed El‑Sayed.
- Sep 1 President Trump arrived in Texas to fundraise for Ken Paxton.
- Sep 1 Mike Rogers launched a television ad attacking El‑Sayed over past statements on sexual issues and the synagogue attack.
- Sep 1 Senator Bernie Sanders said a limited group of Democratic officials and major donors may prefer El‑Sayed to lose the general election.
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