Will Michigan Send a Socialist to the Senate?

By
Richard C. Young
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By vepar5 @ Shutterstock.com

Currently leading Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary is Abdul El-Sayed, a Bernie Sanders-style candidate who the Free Beacon reports has been described as a “long-time friend of Democratic Socialists of America.” The Free Beacon’s Chuck Ross explains:

Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D.) is distancing himself from the Democratic Socialists of America, insisting he is “not technically or practically” a member of the radical group. But El-Sayed has been a markedly enthusiastic DSA supporter for years as he rose through Michigan’s progressive political scene, repeatedly appearing at socialist events, including headlining a 2019 DSA fundraiser at which the group’s Detroit chapter called him “a longtime friend.”

The Wall Street Journal’s John McCormick suggests a win by El-Sayed could be a big sign of a leftward shift among Democrats.

If El-Sayed wins, it would be a sign that the party’s leftward shift is taking place beyond coastal and deeply blue enclaves, such as in New York and Colorado, where DSA-aligned candidates have defeated more centrist incumbents in Democratic primaries. It would also add wind to the sails of progressive and DSA candidates in coming primaries, including those with similar dynamics in Wisconsin and Minnesota that follow just one week later.

In some polls of the race, Republican leading candidate Mike Rogers will defeat El-Sayed in the election, but will lose to El-Sayed’s primary opponent, Haley Stevens.

Losing an incumbent seat in the Senate in a year widely predicted to be favorable to Democrats would be a massive embarrassment for the party. Electing another socialist to the Senate would be a massive embarrassment for America.