Democrats prod progressives to spend for El-Sayed
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Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a press conference on Sept. 22 in Detroit. Photo: Sarah Rice/Getty Images
D.C. Democrats are growing increasingly alarmed about the Republican spending advantage in the Michigan Senate race — and some are asking when progressive groups will start putting serious money behind Abdul El-Sayed.
Why it matters: The Democratic establishment's main super PAC is pouring an additional $10 million into the race to back El-Sayed, even as the Democratic nominee has declined to say whether he would support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as leader next year.
- The latest investment brings Senate Majority PAC's total spending in Michigan to $30 million.
- But Democratic groups are still behind by roughly the same amount, with a coalition of nine GOP-aligned outside groups booking close to $90 million through Election Day.
- Progressive groups haven't followed suit at the same scale, helping Republicans generate millions more ad impressions in the campaign's final weeks.
What they're saying: "I made an appeal to all of my colleagues in caucus to give if they haven't already given, to help fundraise, to come to the meet and greet," Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) told Axios.
- "We need, for the good of the country, to have Abdul in that seat, and so, support him, help make that happen, moderate, progressive and everything in between," Slotkin said.
- "Abdul and Democrats are being outspent in Michigan in a way that could be fatal for his campaign," said a Democratic operative involved in the race.
- "This race absolutely needs real resources from the progressives who pledged to support his campaign. Right now, the so-called establishment wing of the Democratic Party is the only one spending for Abdul," the operative said.
"Nothing is better to attract Michigan independent voters than a shake-up-the-system economic fighter like Abdul," said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
- "But that only matters if voters hear the message, which is why we need to close the spending gap," added Green, who says he has raised more than $100,000 directly for El-Sayed.
Zoom out: El-Sayed was vastly outspent during a contentious Democratic primary. However, he emerged victorious after prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), campaigned with him.
- After his victory, progressive allies pledged to support El-Sayed in the general election, casting the race as a test of whether their brand of economic populism can win in a swing state.
- "I'm going to do my best in every way to see that he's elected to the U.S. Senate," Sanders told Semafor last month. "We're going to do everything we can."
Between the lines: Sanders, who has $23 million in his campaign account, has not transferred money to El-Sayed's campaign.
Zoom in: El-Sayed is getting help from other prominent Democrats.
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has created a joint fundraising committee with El-Sayed.
- "You've got all sorts of Republican special interest money pouring into Michigan for Mike Rogers," Van Hollen said. "I think people need to step up and help Abdul El-Sayed.
- "Everyone in the Democratic tent should be helping Abdul, regardless of where they are on that spectrum."
- Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who is entertaining a 2028 presidential run, has said he will campaign with El-Sayed.
The bottom line: Michigan is an expensive state, and Democrats had a cash advantage two years ago.
- "It's always an expensive race," Slotkin said. "So we need more support, and I and others implored — you know — whoever could to really work hard and donate. Raise money, have a fundraiser."
