The United Auto Workers union has thrown its weight behind Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's competitive Democratic Senate primary, handing the progressive physician a significant organizational advantage as the August 4 contest approaches.
The UAW, representing over 400,000 active members, announced its endorsement on social media, calling El-Sayed a candidate who will "push forward a strong working-class agenda with moral clarity." The union highlighted his refusal to accept corporate PAC money and his support for policies like Medicare for All and banning stock buybacks.
El-Sayed, a former Detroit health department director, is vying for the seat left open by retiring Senator Gary Peters. His main competitors are Rep. Haley Stevens and state Senator Mallory McMorrow, both of whom are also courting labor support in a state where union ties remain a powerful political force.
The endorsement comes as the primary shapes up as a proxy battle for the party's ideological direction, with El-Sayed's economic populism and anti-corporate messaging contrasting with the more moderate records of his rivals. Recent polling from Emerson College shows El-Sayed and McMorrow virtually tied, with Stevens trailing and roughly a third of Democratic voters undecided.
While the candidates largely agree on eliminating the Senate filibuster, they have clashed over campaign finance and legislative tactics. El-Sayed has emphasized grassroots organizing and small-dollar fundraising, arguing he can compete with better-known opponents despite being outspent.
The UAW's backing could prove pivotal in a state with a deep auto industry history, but El-Sayed's campaign has faced scrutiny. A series of events featuring commentator Hasan Piker energized young voters but drew criticism from some Democratic officials and Jewish groups over Piker's past remarks. Supporters counter that the outreach is necessary to bring disengaged voters into the fold.
General election matchups show former GOP Representative Mike Rogers with a slim lead over any Democratic contender, underscoring the stakes for the party in holding the seat.
