Sen. Elizabeth Warren is jumping back into the Democratic primary for Michigan’s U.S. Senate race — this time backing Abdul El‑Sayed.
The Massachusetts Democrat had endorsed state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who left the race. Her latest endorsement keeps Ms. Warren engaged in an Aug. 4 contest that’s turning into a proxy fight between the left wing rallying around Mr. El‑Sayed and party leaders lining up behind Rep. Haley Stevens.
Ms. Warren framed her endorsement around money in politics, labor support and grassroots energy, praising Mr. El‑Sayed’s background as a physician and union member and highlighting his backing from the United Auto Workers as part of a growing working‑class coalition.
“Abdul is the only candidate in this race not taking corporate money, and he’s fighting to get money out of politics altogether,” Ms. Warren says in a video posted on social media. “Abdul studied to be a doctor, and he’s fighting for every single American to have affordable, high‑quality healthcare. Abdul has been a card‑carrying union member, and he’s fighting for working people. … He is the fighter Michigan needs in the Senate.”
Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection. He has endorsed Ms. Stevens, along with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York.
The winner will face off against former Rep. Mike Rogers. Democrats likely need to retain the seat to have any chance of flipping control of the Senate in the midterm elections.
The Warren endorsement comes a day after Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez of New York campaigned with Mr. El‑Sayed, adding to the wave of national left-wing support.
Ms. Warren didn’t mention Ms. Stevens by name, but she took aim at “special interests running millions of dollars in TV ads to buy this seat,” a clear reference to the outside groups aligned with Democratic leadership.
Mr. El‑Sayed and his supporters have pointed to the tens of millions of dollars the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has spent on Ms. Stevens’ behalf.
Mr. El‑Sayed has accused Israel of carrying out “genocide” in Gaza.
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