Abdul El-Sayed scores Sen Tina Smith’s endorsement in Democratic primary that exposes party divide
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., has endorsed Democratic Michigan U.S. Senate primary candidate Abdul El-Sayed, describing him as "a fighter."
El-Sayed expressed his gratitude Thursday for the senator's backing.
"Senator Tina Smith has been a fighter for working people in the US Senate," he said in a statement. "She’s fought for and delivered on an economy that works for all of us. I hope to build on her leadership on women’s health and reproductive rights and access which has paved the way for the future I want for my daughters and every American. I’m deeply grateful for her support."
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Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., are some of the figures who have endorsed El-Sayed.
"In all due respect to Haley Stevens, everybody knows that this is not an election between her and Abdul," Sanders said during an event last week in support of El-Sayed. "This is an election between Abdul and the billionaire class. That is what this election is about."
The Senate hopeful is running against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary contest.
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Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who announced last year that he would not seek re-election, is supporting Stevens to succeed him in the Senate seat.
"Over the last eighteen years, while serving the people of Michigan, I have been surrounded by many extremely talented and dedicated partners who work tirelessly for our state. Haley Stevens has been that partner in Congress," Peters wrote in a statement. "Haley Stevens will be ready on day 1 to fight for Michigan, which is why I am excited to announce I am all in for Haley Stevens."
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is also among those backing Stevens.
Former Rep. Mike Rogers, who is backed by President Donald Trump, does not face any competition heading into the Michigan Republican U.S. Senate primary.
