A surging liberal gives Democrats anxiety over Senate chances

The Washington Post ^ | June 5, 2026 | Dan Merica and Erin Cox

[MinorityRepublican]

Democrats focused on taking back the Senate in November are growing increasingly worried that a surging liberal candidate in Michigan’s contentious Democratic Senate primary could imperil their slim shot at being in the majority next year.

Polls consistently find Abdul El-Sayed, a former local health official who lost a previous gubernatorial bid, at or near the top of the three-person August primary race. He has outflanked Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow from the left, boosted by a populist agenda and endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and liberal lawmakers.

His strength in primary polls has triggered backlash and anxiety among some Democrats, who view El-Sayed as a general election liability, too far left for a state that backed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. They cite El-Sayed’s labeling of Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “genocide” and his willingness to campaign alongside controversial figures such as Hasan Piker, the political streamer with a large audience of young men. Piker, who has faced accusations of antisemitism, has called the militant group Hamas better than Israel and questioned whether America “deserved” 9/11.

El-Sayed’s outsider campaign promotes progressive policies, while the Democratic Party leadership is making a concerted bid to hew to the political center. He pitches Medicare-for-all, heavily taxing billionaires and abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: democrats; senate

[Nateman]

Another member of Mad Moe’s Mafia.

[Steely Tom]

Anything that inconveniences the Democrat Party is a big concern to the Washington Post.

[Polanski]

The dems are really taking the cake this season. This guy and Platner. They’re now the party of women abusing nazis and islamics.

[CFW]

Muslims move here and then suddenly rise up to win major political seats? It’s not normal. Election fraud is helping destroy our nation.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Primary is Aug 4. That’s 8 weeks. He’d be the easiest to beat. Will the higher-ups tell a moozlem to take one for Allah?

[Dilbert San Diego]

Democrats love to talk about how we need to celebrate diversity .

Abdul would be a candidate who personifies diversity.

But now Democrats have some concerns about a candidate who would personify diversity, being their standard bearer?

[SuperLuminal]

Abdul El-Sayed
Hasan Piker

More proof that:
The only good communist is a dead communist...
It is our duty as citizens to help, with prejudice, everyone be as good as possible...

If we are unwilling to do our duty, maybe we should not complain...