Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Thursday condemned a call for violence made by an attendee at the GOP's midterm convention, urging Republicans to "call it out for what it is."
In an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, El-Sayed addressed a video clip showing an audience member shouting "He should be shot!" during a speech by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). The remark came as Cruz listed Democratic figures, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.
It remains unclear whether Cruz heard the outburst, as he did not react from the stage. The incident occurred on the one-year anniversary of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a moment Cruz acknowledged during his address.
El-Sayed, a father of two daughters, said the episode reflects a troubling norm in American politics. "I hope those daughters get to grow up and live with their dad," he said. "This is what has become norm in our politics, literally calls to violence and the inability for anybody to actually call it out."
He stressed the need to lower the temperature and reject the idea that politics is a "bloodsport." "We can learn to disagree agreeably," he said, adding that such rhetoric should be "shuddering to all of us."
El-Sayed called on everyone who heard the remark to condemn it unequivocally. "I hope that everybody who heard that is going to call it out for what it is: a call to violence that ought to be condemned across the board," he said.
The Senate hopeful also expressed hope that the campaign could refocus on substantive issues. "We can actually turn our politics back into a conversation about what really matters," he said, citing the "ability to live a dignified life" and the strength of democracy.
El-Sayed currently leads his Republican opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers, by three points in a recent CNN poll, 47% to 44%. The race to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is seen as a key battleground for control of the Senate.
The incident at the convention has drawn attention alongside other controversies, including potential Hatch Act violations by cabinet officials and high-profile speeches by Trump and Vance. El-Sayed has previously used creative campaign tactics to attack Rogers, including a retro video game.
Cruz's office did not respond to requests for comment.
