Sen. Bernie Sanders ) has ignited fresh friction within the Democratic Party by suggesting that a small group of party leaders and donors would prefer to see Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed lose, even as Democrats compete for a Senate majority. Sanders made the remarks in an interview with Politico Playbook, saying that progressives threaten wealthy interests and the party's approach to Israel.
"You're talking about a small number of people who are at the head of the Democratic Party. You're talking about the donor class," Sanders said. "Are they less than enthusiastic about Abdul? Yes, they are."
Democratic leaders respond
The comments drew immediate criticism from Democratic officials in Washington and Michigan. A senior Democratic lawmaker described Sanders' remarks as "deeply cynical," and more than a dozen party leaders and officials told Politico they were irate that Sanders would reopen a toxic fight over El-Sayed, who has faced a barrage of Republican attack ads and is working to mend relationships with Jewish and other traditionally Democratic-leaning groups in the state.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer ) said he "didn't understand [Sanders'] comments at all," and referenced Hasan Piker, the leftist Twitch streamer with a history of controversial statements who has campaigned for El-Sayed.
"If he wants to win the Senate, he should probably call his friend and tell him to condemn Hasan Piker. What's the problem here? Does he like hate? I hope not," Gottheimer said.
A Sanders aide said the senator's comments were not aimed at Senate leadership but at "the donor class." Sanders spokesperson Jeremy Slevin defended the criticism, citing Sanders' record of working for progressive priorities.
Jim Kessler of the centrist group Third Way also pushed back, saying, "I wish he put more effort behind Hillary [Clinton] in 2016." A senior Democratic operative questioned why Sanders, who has nearly $23 million in his campaign account, has not spent more of his own money to help El-Sayed.
Party divisions over Piker
The dispute has focused attention on El-Sayed's association with Piker, who drew condemnation from Democratic figures including Hakeem Jeffries, Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin, and Jacky Rosen over remarks about American Jews and Israel. El-Sayed has distanced himself from Piker since those comments, and he apologized for saying "Hurt people, hurt people" after a March attack on a Michigan synagogue.
At the Michigan Democratic Party convention, El-Sayed resisted questions about Piker, insisting the race should focus on affordability, healthcare, and Trump's policies. Democratic strategist Yemisi Egbewole, a former Biden White House chief of staff, argued that El-Sayed has taken responsibility for his past remarks and that no one is as focused on "oligarchy business" as Sanders.
"Dems want a majority in the Senate. El-Sayed apologized for his comments about the Temple Israel attack and hasn't campaigned with Hasan. Stevens lost. She endorsed Abdul. It's now his job to win those voters," Egbewole said.
Rep. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed narrowly defeated in the primary, has endorsed him. Rep. Hillary Scholten, however, has declined to endorse El-Sayed, citing Piker's rhetoric as making it harder for Democrats to win.
Sanders frame and Republican criticism
Sanders dismissed Piker's controversies and accused Republicans and the media of using the issue to distract from economic concerns. He urged El-Sayed to "stay on the issues that impact working families in Michigan."
One House Democrat criticized Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America, saying the group is "trying to take over the party" and accusing Sanders of "hedging his bets" and blaming others for a potential El-Sayed loss.
The Republican National Committee rejected Sanders' defense. RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre called El-Sayed a "terrorist bootlicker," citing his past comments about 9/11 and his associations, and said his presence in the Senate "would absolutely pose a national security threat."
The race ahead
Polls show a tight contest. An August Fox News poll had Republican Mike Rogers leading El-Sayed 51%-47%, within the margin of error, and a subsequent AARP survey also showed the candidates in a margin-of-error race.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has launched a six-figure digital ad buy against Rogers. DSCC spokesperson Maeve Coyle said the committee's goal is to elect El-Sayed.