Kenneth Glad
An open-seat contest is moving into a more expensive and closely contested phase. Recent remarks have added another layer to a race already shaped by sharp political differences.
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed mocked President Donald Trump during an interview with MeidasTouch, days after becoming the party’s candidate for an open Senate seat.
Asked about Trump’s health while discussing videos of the president, El-Sayed said, “Watching those videos, and you’re just like… he can’t seem to keep it in!” He later added that if Trump “wants to comment on me” then “two can play at the game.”
The comments followed Trump’s August 5 speech at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. During an appearance focused largely on economic and tax policy, Trump described El-Sayed as a communist and said he was “full of shit,” according to Roll Call.
Earlier on August 5, the Associated Press called the Democratic primary for El-Sayed after nearly all ballots had been counted. He defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens by less than one percentage point following an expensive nomination battle.
El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, entered the general election with backing from prominent progressive Democrats including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Outside groups supporting Stevens spent more than $60 million during the primary.
Open seat draws spending
Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ decision not to seek reelection created an opportunity for Republicans in a state where recent statewide elections have often been competitive. The November result could also contribute to determining which party controls the U.S. Senate, according to the Associated Press.
El-Sayed will face Mike Rogers, a Republican and former U.S. representative who had no opponent in his party’s primary. Rogers previously ran for Michigan’s other Senate seat in 2024, losing to Democrat Elissa Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes.
Both parties are already committing substantial resources. The Republican Senate campaign organization had reserved $45 million in Michigan advertising, while its Democratic counterpart had reserved $20 million.
El-Sayed’s political positioning is also likely to remain part of the general-election argument. He is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and has described himself as a capitalist who wants capitalism to work better.
His campaign has backed policies including Medicare for All and changes to campaign financing, while he has also called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. Trump has repeatedly criticized his views, including his position on Israel.
If elected in November, El-Sayed could become the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate, according to The Guardian.
Sources: MeidasTouch, Associated Press, The Guardian, Roll Call
