Centrist Democrats back GOP opponent after abandoning El‑Sayed’s Senate bid
Summary
Abdul El‑Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary in August 2026 by a one‑point margin over Rep. Haley Stevens. Two days before the November 2026 midterm election, Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers, citing personal disagreements and opposition to streamer Hasan Piker. President Trump also backed Rogers, calling El‑Sayed a “jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member.” Polls showed El‑Sayed ahead of Rogers by about 3.5 points shortly before voting.
Why it matters
The split could affect party unity and voter turnout, with centrist Democrats fearing a shift in policy direction while progressives view the endorsement as a betrayal of Democratic values. A Rogers victory would give Republicans a Senate seat, influencing the balance of power, whereas an El‑Sayed win could reshape U.S. foreign‑policy stances on Israel.
Sources (3)
- El-Sayed’s ex-Dem opponent makes dramatic switch to support GOP rival in 11th-hour Senate twist New York Post
- Report — Centrist Democrats Would Rather Lose Than See Abdul El-Sayed Become a U.S. Senator: ‘The Nightmare They Fear Most’ Breitbart
- Centrist Democrats Would Rather Lose the Senate Than Win With El-Sayed The Intercept