LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El- Sayed has spent months pitching himself as the future of Michigan Democrats. The problem? Two of the party’s most influential constituencies – Black voters and Jewish Democrats – appear increasingly unconvinced.
With the August primary fast approaching, absentee ballots already in voters’ hands and early voting underway, warning lights are flashing for El-Sayed’s campaign from multiple directions.
Stevens holds commanding lead among Black Democrats.
MORE NEWS: Authorities: Father Killed Wife, Six Children Before Setting House on Fire
Recent polling shows competitor Rep. Haley Stevens dominating among Black Democratic voters, leading El-Sayed by almost 46 points. Meanwhile, El-Sayed performs better among white Democrats, particularly progressives.
The polling suggests El-Sayed’s challenge with Black Democrats extends beyond vote choice to basic perceptions. Among Black Democratic primary voters, just 25.2% view him favorably, while 26.5% view him unfavorably. Another 26.5% have no opinion of him, and 21.9% say they’ve never heard of him. By comparison, Haley Stevens posts a 51.0% favorable rating among Black Democrats, with 24.5% unfavorable, giving her a much stronger standing with one of the Democratic Party’s most important voting blocs.
The disconnect hasn’t gone unnoticed inside the Democratic establishment. The disparity even caught the attention of Black Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Democratic kingmaker. After seeing a photo from an El-Sayed rally, Clyburn remarked, “I didn’t see a single person that looks like me. That tells me all I need to know.”
El-Sayed has rejected the notion that Black voters are turning away from him, arguing that tens of millions of dollars in outside advertising has distorted perceptions of his candidacy despite his longstanding work with Black leaders in Detroit, Wayne County and Flint.
Endorsing and campaigning alongside William Lawrence, the progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, isn’t helping either. Lawrence recently found himself under scrutiny after comments resurfaced about Black Democrats, handing El-Sayed yet another guilt-by- association headache at a time when his own campaign is already struggling to win over key voting blocs.
Jewish Democrats eye the exit.
If Black Democrats represent one challenge, Jewish Democrats may represent another. According to reporting by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and the Jerusalem Post, some longtime Jewish Democratic donors and activists say they would either leave the Senate race blank – or even support Republican Mike Rogers – if El-Sayed becomes the Democratic nominee. Others are reportedly preparing fundraisers for Rogers as a hedge against an El-Sayed victory.
MORE NEWS: Sheriff: Grand Haven Township Family Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide
Their concerns center largely on El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel and his positions on the Middle East, which many pro-Israel Democrats say place him outside the party’s traditional mainstream. Additionally, his appearances with progressive online commentator Hasan Piker, a polarizing figure frequently criticized for his rhetoric about Israel and U.S. foreign policy, have done little to reassure skeptical Jewish Democrats.
The endorsement divide.
The divide extends well beyond the electorate to the party’s biggest names. Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed candidate Haley Stevens on July 24, joining Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, retiring Sen. Gary Peters, former Sen. Debbie Stabenow and now Rep. Jim Clyburn, while El-Sayed’s high-profile endorsements continue to come from the progressive wing, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren – and NY Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The bottom line.
Politics has always been about addition, not subtraction. If Black Democrats are breaking heavily toward Haley Stevens in the primary while significant numbers of pro-Israel Jewish Democrats are openly talking about supporting a Republican in November, El-Sayed’s path becomes considerably narrower.
