Senate candidate El-Sayed questions assumption Michigan voters are moderates

Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democratic candidate for the upcoming Senate seat in Michigan, is questioning the notion that Michigan voters are moderate. Speaking to CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe, El-Sayed pointed out that the state has twice voted for Donald Trump, suggesting that Michigan's electorate is more opposed to the political establishment than moderate.

He attributed the state's support for Trump to voter frustration with both major parties being bought off by corporations on either side.

El-Sayed's principal opponent in the Democratic primary is Rep. Haley Stevens, a moderate from outside Detroit. Stevens has the backing of most establishment Democrats, whereas El-Sayed is supported by progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Recent polls indicate that El-Sayed leads Stevens by double digits, but Stevens has accused El-Sayed of campaigning on anger rather than offering concrete plans.

El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate in 2018, is relying on grassroots donations and has not accepted PAC money. In contrast, Stevens has received tens of millions of dollars from several political action committees (PACs), including AIPAC, which lobbies for U.S. support for Israel. El-Sayed aims to build a broad coalition, including those who oppose fascism, advocate for ending corporate influence in politics, and support union rights, clean air, clean water, and universal healthcare.

He criticized the Democratic Party for focusing on narrow interests rather than addressing the needs of most Americans, stating that the party should instead unite "broadly" to tackle these issues.