Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Abdul El-Sayed in Crucial Michigan Senate Race…

Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Democratic Senate Primary

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has endorsed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan. The endorsement, given in an interview with The New York Times, is her first in a contested Senate primary in 2026. Michigan is viewed by Democrats as a state they must retain in the November election to secure a Senate majority.

Ocasio-Cortez stated that El-Sayed has built support among voters and possesses the campaign structure needed to win the state. “Despite our ideological differences and whatever disagreements there are in the party, every single one of us sees this moment as existential,” she said. “And I think many people are willing to put aside differences in order to give us the best chance at winning. And I think that Abdul gives us that right now.”

Senator Chuck Schumer has endorsed Representative Haley Stevens in the same primary. Stevens and El-Sayed are joined by state Senator Mallory McMorrow. The primary is scheduled for August 4.

El-Sayed, a former public health official, has advocated for Medicare for all and has criticized some Israeli government policies. He would be the first Muslim elected to the Senate if he wins the general election. Recent public and private polls have shown him leading the primary field. He received an endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders last year and won the support of the United Auto Workers union this year.

Stevens has received more than $16 million in spending from super PACs, including contributions from groups that support Israel. McMorrow has positioned her campaign between the other two candidates on several issues.

In a separate interview, El-Sayed welcomed the endorsement. “I’m honored for what her support says about what this campaign is building and what we’re fighting for,” he said. He also stated that some Democrats are concerned about his potential victory rather than his ability to win the general election against the Republican nominee.

The Republican nominee is former Representative Mike Rogers, who lost the 2024 Senate race to Senator Elissa Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes.

Ocasio-Cortez and El-Sayed first worked together during his 2018 campaign for governor of Michigan, which she endorsed at that time. Both candidates are in their thirties and have received support from Sanders in past races. Ocasio-Cortez has described El-Sayed’s ability to communicate on digital platforms as a central campaign skill.

Ocasio-Cortez has made endorsements in four House primaries this cycle in California, New Jersey, Montana, and Pennsylvania; all four candidates won. She did not endorse in several other contested Democratic primaries, including races in Maine, Colorado, and New York.

The winner of the Michigan Democratic primary will face Rogers in November. El-Sayed said it remains unclear whether Ocasio-Cortez will campaign in person or appear in advertisements before the August primary.

Ocasio-Cortez said her decision does not reflect a broader conflict with Schumer, who faces re-election in 2028. “I don’t really see this through that lens,” she said, while noting that agreement on every decision is not expected.

Shane Goldmacher is a Times national political correspondent.