Sanders condemns GOP attacks on Michigan Senate candidate El-sayed
Washington – Senator Bernie Sanders sharply criticized Republican tactics in the Michigan Senate race, specifically denouncing what he described as racist and overtly discriminatory attacks targeting Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s ethnicity and religion. Speaking on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Sanders called the rhetoric “disgusting” and asserted it “should appall every decent American.”
Sanders, a supporter of El-Sayed’s campaign, pointed to comments made by Republican figures including former President Trump and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Republicans have accused El-Sayed of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and suggested his election could pose a threat to American lives.
El-Sayed, who would be the first Muslim senator if elected, has refuted any connection to the Muslim Brotherhood and condemned the attacks. The Trump administration previously designated certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist groups.
“What Cruz and Trump and Vance and others are saying is disgusting,” Sanders stated. He also condemned advertisements in the Michigan Senate race, labeling them “disgusting, racist, fearmongering ads.”
The Vermont independent addressed a recent dispute between El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens, who had urged El-Sayed to condemn an advertisement linking U.S. military aid to Israel and rising grocery prices, which Stevens deemed antisemitic. El-Sayed responded by accusing Stevens of revisiting a past primary contest.
Sanders acknowledged Stevens’ narrow primary loss but emphasized the importance of the midterm elections. He expressed confidence that Michigan voters will reject the “ugliness” of the Republican campaign and support El-Sayed over Republican candidate Mike Rogers, whom Sanders described as a “rubber stamp” for the Trump administration.
Shortly after Sanders’ remarks, Stevens publicly endorsed Rogers, stating she does not belong in El-Sayed’s campaign and objecting to the tone of the Democratic nominee’s messaging.
El-Sayed, in response, focused on the broader electorate, stating, “this is a state of 10 million people who deserve a lot better from their government.”
Sanders also referenced his family’s history, recalling his father’s family’s persecution under Hitler, to underscore his stance on criticism of Israel. He clarified that criticizing the Israeli government is not antisemitism, but rather a critique of a “racist, extremist government,” and that it does not reflect the views of Jewish people.
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“Sen. Bernie Sanders says GOP rhetoric about Abdul El-Sayed "should appall every decent American"”
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