Celebrities Endorse Abdul El-Sayed Amid Jewish Voter Backlash
Abdul El-Sayed gains celebrity endorsements in Michigan's Senate race while facing a write-in campaign and low support among Jewish early voters.
Musician Bruce Springsteen and actor Mark Ruffalo have endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in a competitive U.S. Senate race in Michigan. Springsteen described El-Sayed as a fighter for the American Constitution and democracy, while Ruffalo suggested El-Sayed's victory could revolutionize the Democratic Party. These endorsements follow attacks from President Donald Trump, who falsely labeled El-Sayed a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist running on a progressive platform of universal health care and reduced military spending, faces Republican Mike Rogers. The race is marked by internal Democratic fractures, including an endorsement of Rogers by former Representative Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the August primary. Stevens cited disagreements over El-Sayed's positions on Israel and a controversial advertisement by Rebellion PAC.
Recent data indicates El-Sayed is struggling with Jewish voters. A survey by The Jewish Majority found El-Sayed received 57% of the Jewish early vote, significantly lower than the 78% support for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson. Republican Mike Rogers received 36% of that cohort, with many voters stating their choice was primarily a vote against El-Sayed. In response to El-Sayed's positions on Israel and his reaction to a terror attack on Temple Israel, the Nonnegotiable Michigan coalition of Jewish clergy and community leaders has launched a write-in campaign against him.
