Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stated on Sunday, August 2, 2026, that Abdul El-Sayed has the potential to appeal to working-class Republicans and independents in Michigan during the upcoming Senate general election, provided he defeats Representative Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) in the Democratic primary held Tuesday, August 4.

Sanders told NBC’s "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker, "The reason I think that Dr. El-Sayed will win in Michigan is that if you’re [a] working-class Republican, you know what? You can’t afford health care. You are struggling to figure out how you’re going to retire with dignity."

He added that many Republicans might reconsider their priorities, saying, "If you’re a Republican, you know maybe we should be investing our money into Michigan, into Vermont, into America rather than giving the extremist government of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and Israel tens of billions of dollars to continue their atrocities against the Palestinian people."

Sanders predicted, "So if you’re a working-class Republican in Michigan, I think you’re going to listen to what El-Sayed says. And I think many of them will end up voting for him, independents as well, of course."

The primary contest between El-Sayed and Stevens highlights the divide between progressive and centrist factions within the Democratic Party, including in the Senate. Sanders emphasized the importance of retaining his seat, stating Democrats "can’t afford to lose" it as they seek to regain control of the Senate after two years in the minority.

A recent survey conducted by Emerson College, WLNS, and WOODTV on July 26-27 found that 54 percent of 700 respondents supported El-Sayed, while 39 percent backed Stevens, with 6 percent undecided.

Michigan’s political landscape remains competitive, as illustrated by Elissa Slotkin’s narrow victory by less than 30,000 votes in 2024, the same year President Trump won Michigan for the second time in three attempts.

Sources