Overview

• Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat and former Detroit health director, announced his candidacy for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat on April 17, 2025.
• El-Sayed is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, signaling a generational and ideological challenge to the Democratic Party's establishment in Michigan.
• He joins state Sen. Mallory McMorrow in the Democratic primary, setting up a closely watched race in a key battleground state for the 2026 midterm elections.
• El-Sayed's platform emphasizes universal healthcare, economic equality, and opposing the influence of billionaires and oligarchs in politics.
• Former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers has also declared his candidacy, positioning the race as pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate.