Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary on Monday morning, adding another big name to the former public health official’s collection of coveted progressive backers.
El-Sayed, who is running against Rep. Haley Stevens to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, has already been endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — both of whom appeared alongside him at a rally in Michigan on Sunday.
The Michigan primary is one of the highest-profile battles between the Democratic Party’s surging left flank and moderate members of the party, and it’s taking place in a seat considered essential to Democrats’ plan to regain control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
In a video posted to social media, Warren touted El-Sayed’s populist economic platform and vow to not take corporate money while taking a jab at primary opponent Stevens, who has benefitted from a slew of outside spending on the race — including nearly $30 million from the AIPAC-aligned United Democracy Project.
“Michiganders deserve a senator who will fight for you, not for special interests running millions of dollars in TV ads to buy this seat,” Warren said. “And make no mistake: Abdul is the only candidate in this race who can build the grassroots movement needed to win in November.”
Peters, for his part, has endorsed Stevens. The winner of the primary will face former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers in November.
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