Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) endorsed leftist Democrat Abdul el Sayed in his run to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in Michigan.
Van Hollen is now the second sitting senator, behind Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), to back el Sayed’s bid for the seat over more centrist candidates Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow. Stevens is seen as the more establishment candidate, boasting an effective endorsement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“We need fighters in the Senate who want to dismantle a broken status quo that isn’t working for the American people and to take on the big money special interests working to rig our economy and our politics in favor of the billionaires — at the expense of everyone else. That’s why I’m endorsing Abdul el Sayed for Senate in the great state of Michigan,” Van Hollen said in a statement.
Van Hollen’s endorsement comes just days after socialist candidates ran through New York City’s Democratic primaries, as Democratic voters thwarted the re-election bids of several establishment incumbents to side with the leftist wing of the party. The resounding success of the socialist candidates, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, brought renewed intra-party attention to what the future of the Democratic party should look like, as pundits have debated whether to turn to more progressive candidates for success or stick to establishment, more centrist candidates who may pull more voters in a general election.
In his progressive run for Senate, el Sayed has called for passing “Medicare for all,” emphasized how he has never taken money from AIPAC, and has embraced the controversial left-wing social media personality Hasan Piker. Van Hollen’s move to back el Sayed signals his likely support for a more left-wing future in the party.
“Abdul recognizes that our health care system is broken, that costs are too high, and that our economy isn’t working for working Americans. He will fight for an America where unions are strong, and paychecks are big enough and costs are low enough that everyone in Michigan can afford to live with dignity,” Van Hollen said.
In late April, el Sayed gave Van Hollen a boost by signaling his support for the Maryland Senator as the next leader of the Democratic Senate caucus.
‘RED-LETTER DAY’: DEMOCRATS FRET MAMDANI’S SOCIALISTS WILL COST THEM IN NOVEMBER
“You know who I’d really like to see as Democratic leader? Chris Van Hollen,” el Sayed told CNN.
The primaries for Michigan’s senate race will take place on Aug. 4. el Sayed has gained significant traction over the past several months amid a flurry of media attention, but polling remains close between the three Democratic candidates.