Former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers on Friday released a campaign message appealing directly to Democratic voters after Michigan Democrats nominated Abdul el Sayed as their Senate candidate earlier this week.
El Sayed, a former public health official, narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), el Sayed will now face Rogers in November for the open Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).
Rogers sought to capitalize on divisions within the Democratic Party, arguing that voters dissatisfied with the primary outcome should consider supporting his campaign.
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“If you’re among the majority of Democratic voters that woke up on Wednesday feeling hopeless because the person who won does not represent your values, just know there is still hope,” Rogers said in a campaign video. “Michigan deserves a senator who is ready to sit with you, hear from you, and represent you.”
He went on to appeal to parents, young people concerned about housing affordability, working families worried about taxes and wages, and voters who, he said, do not support “a campaign filled with anger, divisiveness, calls for violence, and views that are out of touch with your values.”
“The fight is far greater than just left versus right,” Rogers said. “The fight is for the very soul of our nation. Over the next 90 days, I’m going to work hard to earn your trust, earn your support, and earn your vote.”
Israel became the defining issue of the Democratic primary, with el Sayed repeatedly criticizing Stevens for supporting U.S. military aid to Israel and accusing her of being aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, whose affiliated super PAC spent millions backing her campaign.
Throughout the campaign, el Sayed described Israel as an “evil” and “rogue state” that has “committed genocide and apartheid.”
Republicans have already begun tying those comments to the general election campaign.
The Senate Leadership Fund launched its first general election advertisement this week, highlighting clips of el Sayed calling himself “dangerous”—remarks he made while describing the threat he poses to corporate interests and wealthy power brokers as a progressive candidate.
The ad, titled “Abdul El-Sayed: Dangerously Radical,” juxtaposes those comments with clips referencing his past positions on policing and other progressive policies.
SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham also pointed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) support for Stevens during the primary.
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“From calling to disarm the police to his close ties to extremist figures, Abdul El-Sayed is uniquely dangerous and unqualified, which is why Chuck Schumer spent over $60 million in a failed effort to prevent Abdul from serving in the U.S. Senate,” Latcham said in a statement.
“From now until Election Day, SLF will do everything within its power to support Mike Rogers and stop Abdul from endangering Michigan families.”