Republican Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers is again attacking Democratic rival Abdul el Sayed over his association with controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker.
“This guy is maybe the most anti-American candidate across the country today,” Rogers said of el Sayed in an interview on Fox Business Varney & Co. Thursday.
Rogers pointed to el Sayed’s past appearances with Piker, who has campaigned alongside the Democratic nominee.
“This is the same guy who says he’s a terrorist sympathizer to the Houthi terrorist organization,” Rogers continued. “This is a guy that takes money from organizations tied to the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Rogers also criticized el Sayed over his response to questions about Hezbollah.
“He would not condemn a terrorist in the name of Hezbollah that tried to blow up 140 schoolchildren right here in Michigan at a synagogue,” Rogers said. “Now, this guy is anything but pro-American.”
Rogers was referring to the March attack at one of Michigan’s largest synagogues, where a man rammed a vehicle into the building and opened fire. Following the attack, el Sayed condemned the violence but also said that “hurt people hurt people,” drawing criticism.
In August, el Sayed apologized for his comment at an event hosted by the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus.
“For folks who felt like my comments were justifying an act of domestic terrorism, I did not intend it that way,” he said.
Rogers’s comments came after Piker said during the latest episode of the Axios Show that, “pound for pound, as far as the number of deaths, yes,” when asked whether he believes the United States is worse than al Qaeda.
Piker said he did not mean “that all Americans are terrorists,” but argued that the U.S. government is responsible for “tremendous terror” around the world.
Piker has been a recurring figure in Michigan’s Senate race after campaigning alongside el Sayed during the Democratic primary. Several prominent Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), have distanced themselves from Piker and his comments. El Sayed has complained about the media attention over his relationship with the streamer, saying regular Michiganders don’t pay it much attention.
El Sayed has sought to rally Democratic support as he enters the general election against Rogers. Former Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to campaign with el Sayed in Michigan, while Senate Democrats have also moved to back his candidacy publicly.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said Democrats are united behind el Sayed after meeting with him on Wednesday.
Hasan Piker declares US worse ‘pound for pound’ than al Qaeda as he goes on media blitz
“He’s a great candidate. He’s going to win, and we’re all united,” Gillibrand said.
The Michigan contest is one of the Democrats’ targets as they seek to retake the Senate majority. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage in the chamber. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is retiring from the seat.
The race is shaping up to be neck and neck. A Hill/Emerson College Polling survey released Thursday found el Sayed leading Rogers 48% to 46% among Michigan voters. Meanwhile, the Cook Political Report has described the Michigan Senate race as a major test for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, giving it the “Toss Up” rating.