Senate Democrats meet with Abdul El-Sayed, rallying around Michigan nominee

September 16, 2026 / 3:14 PM EDT / CBS News

Senate Democrats meet with Abdul El-Sayed, rallying around Michigan nominee

TL;DR

  • Senate Democrats met with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to rally support for his campaign.
  • Party leaders, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and former candidate Sen. Gary Peters, expressed enthusiasm and confidence in El-Sayed's chances.
  • El-Sayed, a progressive candidate, aims to unite Democrats around shared issues and emphasized the race's importance for gaining a Senate majority.
  • Sen. Mark Kelly plans to campaign in Michigan with El-Sayed, while Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy praised his focus on affordability and systemic reform.
  • Republicans have criticized El-Sayed for his progressive stances and past associations, which he has sought to downplay by focusing on key economic issues.