WASHINGTON — Welcome to the squad.
Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez formally endorsed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in the three-way bruising Democratic primary for Michigan Senate.
“After watching this campaign unfold for well over a year, it has become clear that Abdul El-Sayed is the strongest candidate to keep this seat in November,” Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) declared in a statement.
“He is building a winning coalition by putting forward an agenda that speaks directly to working people.”
“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.”
That marks Ocasio-Cortez’s first endorsement in a competitive Democratic Senate primary this election cycle. She refrained from endorsing horny oyster farmer Graham Platner when the Maine primary was still ongoing. The “Squad” rep also didn’t intervene in the Texas or Iowa Senate primaries.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had backed El-Sayed earlier on in the primary, as he is seen as the leftiest of the major candidates, which include state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.)
McMorrow, who has plummeted in recent polls, picked up an endorsement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), whom Ocasio-Cortez is speculated to be contemplating a primary challenge against in 2028, has admitted that he prefers Stevens in the race, contending that she’s more electable.
“Despite our ideological differences and whatever disagreements there are in the party, every single one of us sees this moment as existential,” Ocasio-Cortez told the New York Times about Schumer’s preference.
The Detroit News also endorsed Stevens.
Recent polls show El-Sayed leading the pack, but mired in a neck-and-neck matchup against Republican Mike Rogers in a general election.
El-Sayed is up in the Democratic primary with 35% support, compared to Stevens at 29.7%, and McMorrow at 7.7%, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate.
In a matchup against Rogers, he has a 0.5 percentage point edge — the same as Stevens in that hypothetical matchup, per RCP.
Democrats need to flip four seats to retake the Senate. Losing Michigan would be a massive blow to that effort.
“AOC has spent her career taking on the powerful on behalf of everyday people, and she has shown all of us what courageous, smart, values-driven leadership looks like,” El-Sayed posted on X in response to Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement.
“I’m deeply honored to earn her endorsement. Onward to victory.”
