Every member of the Squad, an informal left-wing congressional caucus, has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, according to his campaign website. The Squad includes Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, Delia Ramirez, and Greg Casar.
The endorsements highlight the ideological stakes of the primary, linking El-Sayed to the party’s progressive bloc while he attempts to distance himself from the Democratic Socialists of America as he prepares for a general election in a swing state. This support may provide Republicans with a basis for criticism should El-Sayed advance past the more centrist candidate, Haley Stevens.
Casar, the latest Squad member to endorse El-Sayed, stated, "Abdul El-Sayed is showing what it means to run a bold, pro-working class campaign. House progressives need strong partners in the Senate to put money in your pocket, get money out of politics, and win Medicare for All. I’m proud to endorse Abdul."
Despite the endorsements from members of the Democratic Socialists of America, El-Sayed has publicly rejected the socialist label and has sought to present himself as a viable candidate in a battleground state. He has stated, "I am not somebody who is a socialist. I believe in capitalism; I just believe that capitalism has to be regulated."
El-Sayed is competing against Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary, with polls indicating he has a lead over Stevens. The El-Sayed campaign did not respond to a request for comment.