Abdul El-Sayed Tries to Reunite Michigan Democrats After Narrow Senate Primary Win
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 1
Abdul El-Sayed Tries to Reunite Michigan Democrats After Narrow Senate Primary Win
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 1
Summary
Abdul El-Sayed is trying to repair divisions inside Michigan’s Democratic coalition as he pivots from a bruising Senate primary to a general election that could help decide chamber control.
The effort reflects damage from the primary: he alienated some Jewish voters with criticism of Israel, lost older Black voters to moderate rival Haley Stevens, and pushed away independents with left-wing positions.
Black voters have become a particular focus after showing skepticism toward far-left candidates, even as El-Sayed also tries not to further strain ties with Arab American voters angered by the Biden administration’s Gaza stance.
The balancing act marks an about-face for El-Sayed, a former public health official and 2018 gubernatorial candidate whose outsider, combative profile is now giving way to a pitch that he can unite the party and win statewide.