Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive populist running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, is questioning the common perception that the state's electorate favors moderate candidates. In an interview with CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe on Monday, August 3rd, 2026, El-Sayed pointed out that Michigan voted for Donald Trump twice, suggesting that voters may instead be expressing frustration with the political establishment.

"It's always funny to me that people want to say that this state votes for moderates when it voted for Donald Trump twice," El-Sayed said in Detroit on the eve of the August 4th primary. He added, "It may just be that the better explanation is not that the state wants moderates: It's that it's so sick and tired of the establishment bought off by corporations on both sides of the political aisle that it was willing to hold its nose and vote for Donald Trump twice."

El-Sayed, a doctor who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018, is relying solely on grassroots donations and refuses PAC money. His main Democratic opponent in the primary is Representative Haley Stevens, a moderate recruited by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has received tens of millions from various PACs, including AIPAC.

Stevens described El-Sayed's approach as "a path of anger," noting, "He is really frustrated, which a lot of Michiganders are." She also suggested that El-Sayed may be using the Senate race as a stepping stone to a presidential bid. Stevens emphasized her own record of winning tough primaries.

El-Sayed criticized the Democratic Party for focusing on a narrow set of interests rather than addressing the broader needs of most Americans. He called on those who want to combat fascism, reduce money in politics, support union rights, ensure clean air and water, and guarantee healthcare to back his campaign.

The Michigan primary on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, will determine the Democratic nominee to challenge former Representative Mike Rogers, who is running unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Sources

CBS Politics, "Senate candidate El-Sayed says it's 'funny to me' to assume Michigan votes for moderates when it voted twice for Trump," August 4, 2026. Read more