Abdul El-Sayed Sets Fundraising Record Amid Muslim Brotherhood Scrutiny

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed set a Michigan fundraising record by raising $30.7 million in the last quarter, more than triple the $9.7 million raised by Republican opponent Mike Rogers. Despite this haul, the race remains a toss-up with over $270 million in total spending. Rogers maintains higher cash reserves and significantly more support from outside GOP-aligned spending groups.

During a campaign tour of the rural Upper Peninsula, El-Sayed visited Marquette and Escanaba to attract conservative voters. He promoted Medicare for All and the removal of money from politics, arguing that rural residents are tired of being "taken advantage of by a billionaire from New York."

Simultaneously, El-Sayed is facing scrutiny over alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. At a town hall in Caro, Michigan, former Senator Josh Hawley staffer Thomas Teepell asked El-Sayed to disavow the organization. El-Sayed replied, "Sure. Yeah, absolutely," but subsequently argued that the question promoted bigoted ideas and implied his faith created divided loyalties. He stated that the U.S. Constitution is his "guiding light."

Donald Trump and Mike Rogers have used the exchange and social media posts from El-Sayed's half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, to claim he has links to the group. El-Sayed has denied all ties, describing the claims as "hearsay" and noting he was raised by his father and stepmother.