Ed Markey Backs Abdul El-Sayed in Contentious Michigan Primary

Markey praised El-Sayed as a necessary force for health care reform, specifically citing his commitment to Medicare for All and his refusal to accept corporate PAC money. The Massachusetts senator joins a progressive coalition backing the Detroit-based public health leader, which includes Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, and Tina Smith. El-Sayed welcomed the endorsement, commending Markey’s record on climate justice and his efforts to remove corporate influence from government.

The primary has become a flashpoint for campaign spending, with affiliates of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) pouring at least $30 million into ads supporting rival candidate Stevens. Federal Election Commission filings further reveal that a dark money group, A Stronger Michigan, has funneled over $17 million into the race to bolster Stevens. Despite the financial onslaught, a recent survey from Tavern Research places El-Sayed ahead of Stevens by an 11-point margin. While public polling has fluctuated throughout the month, voter favorability metrics suggest a narrowing path for Stevens, whose net favorability among Democrats dropped from +40 to +18 between early and late July.