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El-Sayed divided Michigan Democrats. Whether they unify could decide Senate control
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− Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics El-Sayed divided Michigan Democrats.
+ Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics El-Sayed split Michigan Democrats.
− Whether they unify could decide Senate control After a bruising primary, Democrats in Michigan are working to unify their coalition ahead of what is expected to be a razor-thin Senate race this fall for a seat they need to hold if they hope to retake the Senate majority.
+ Whether they unify could decide Senate control After a bruising Senate primary, Michigan Democrats are trying to unify to hold onto a must-win seat.
− Politics El-Sayed divided Michigan Democrats.
+ But healing those fissures is proving not so simple.
− Whether they unify could decide Senate control September 4, 20264:41 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered By Sam Gringlas El-Sayed divided Michigan Democrats.
+ Politics El-Sayed split Michigan Democrats.
− Whether they unify could decide Senate control Listen · 4:31 4:31 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed "> <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5946840/nx-s1-9915013" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript After a bruising primary, Democrats in Michigan are working to unify their coalition ahead of what is expected to be a razor-thin Senate race this fall for a seat they need to hold if they hope to retake the Senate majority.
+ Whether they unify could decide Senate control September 4, 20264:41 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered By
Sam Gringlas
Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a student meet and greet in Ann Arbor, Mich., on August 26, 2026.
− Sponsor Message Transcript
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
After a bruising primary, Michigan Democrats are trying to unify so that they can hold on to a must-win seat to reclaim the majority in the U.S.
+ After a bruising Senate primary contest, El-Sayed is working to unite Michigan Democrats.
− Senate.
+ Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH.
− Healing these fractures is proving complicated.
+ — After a contentious primary last month, Michigan Democrats are trying to unify in an effort to hold a Senate seat crucial to reclaiming the majority.
− Here's NPR congressional reporter Sam Gringlas.
+ Healing the fractures is proving complicated.
− SAM GRINGLAS, BYLINE: From a rented strip mall space decorated with district maps and a literal blue wall, the Midland County Democrats marshal volunteers.
+ The struggle to stitch the party back together spilled into the open again in recent days — this time as nominee Abdul El-Sayed sought to reassure wary Jewish voters, who make up a key part of the Democratic coalition in the state.
Some Jewish Democrats were already skeptical of El-Sayed, a longtime critic of Israel who skewered his primary opponent over the millions of dollars in spending on her behalf by the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.
El-Sayed speaks while Rep.
− Tonight, members are getting a pep talk from Senator Elissa Slotkin.
+ Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., listen, during an event in Ann Arbor, Mich., on August 26, 2026.
− She'd just come from the annual motorcycle tour hosted by fellow Michigan Senate Democrat Gary Peters.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ELISSA SLOTKIN: I did not, like, drive the Harley.
+ Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
But for many Jewish voters, it was El-Sayed's response in March after a truck attack on the nearby Temple Israel preschool, that has remained the most agonizing.
− I just strapped myself to a dude named DJ from Fenton, Michigan, an ironworker.
+ Last weekend, El-Sayed apologized for those comments and answered questions from voters at two gatherings of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus.
− GRINGLAS: Peters is retiring.
+ "I do think that there's been some movement and a shift in attitude," says caucus chair Decky Alexander, who helped organize the events.
− Former public health official Abdul El-Sayed is the Democrat vying to follow him.
+ "Is it overwhelming?
− Peters and most of the Democratic establishment supported another candidate in the primary.
+ I don't think so.
− El-Sayed, backed by progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders, won by less than a percentage point.
+ There's some people who will say 'I don't agree with him, but I'm glad he came."
Michigan Democratic Sen.
− Slotkin did not endorse in the primary but is now trying to rally her party around their nominee.
+ Elissa Slotkin did not endorse in the Senate primary, but now is among the Democratic leaders trying to help the party heal and make sure that El-Sayed joins her in the Senate, rather than a Republican who she says would be beholden to President Trump.
− (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
SLOTKIN: I know that you're encountering neighbors and people at the door who are not sure.
+ "Good Midwesterners, good Michiganders, are pragmatists," Sen.
− But let me tell you, there are plenty of things that I don't agree with Abdul on, but we agree on the really important stuff.
GRINGLAS: Like defending democracy - Slotkin is a moderate, El-Sayed much further left, but Slotkin says, like her, El-Sayed is willing to fight.
+ Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.
− Here's Midland Democrats co-chair Lara Bell Phillips.
LARA BELL PHILLIPS: These issues that we've talked about are so unifying, that is going to be what is going to heal any schism that's there.
GRINGLAS: Bringing Democrats together is one challenge.
+ told a meeting of the Midland County Democrats in August.
− Another is winning over independents, like in this deep red corner of mid-Michigan.
+ Sam Gringlas/NPR hide caption
Slotkin knows what it is like to run a tight race, where relatively small pockets of votes can shift the outcome.
− Kathleen Currell worries some voters may be scared off by El-Sayed's positions, like saying he wants to abolish and replace ICE.
+ Two years ago, Slotkin won an open Senate seat long held by Democrats, even as Trump carried the state.
− Republicans are characterizing El-Sayed as dangerous.
+ She won by roughly a third of a percent of the vote.
− KATHLEEN CURRELL: I think he's a great candidate.
+ "I know that you're encountering neighbors and people at the door who are not sure," Slotkin told a gathering of the Midland County Democrats last month.
− I want to believe he's going to win.
+ "But let me tell you there are plenty of things that I don't agree with Abdul on, but we agree on the really important stuff and that's preserving democracy and fighting for the country and state we love in a serious and principled way."
Democrats in Midland County, Mich., organized a meet and greet event with Sen.
− I mean, I'd love to think people are changing, but just the name alone, Abdul - some people are very tainted in the stereotypes, and I've talked to some of these people.
+ Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., at the end of August. Sam Gringlas/NPR hide caption
El-Sayed, a former public health official who ran on a platform of Medicare for All with the backing of progressive stars like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, won the primary by less than a percentage point. Most Michigan Democratic heavyweights backed his opponent, but have since lined up behind their nominee.
− GRINGLAS: After a primary season rife with debates over the direction of the party, Democrats are trying to stitch their coalition back together.
+ Slotkin is a moderate.
− In an interview, Slotkin acknowledged there's work to do in Michigan.
+ El-Sayed leans much further left.
− Still...
+ Slotkin says that misses the point. She says El-Sayed, like her, is willing to buck the old ways of doing things and fight. If he wins, Slotkin notes Michigan will be the only delegation where neither senator has accepted corporate PAC money.
− (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
SLOTKIN: Good Midwesterners, good Michiganders are pragmatists, and they understand that, OK, someone wins a primary, and then you move forward.
+ "These issues that we've talked about are so unifying. That is what is going to heal any schism that's there," said Lara Bell Phillips, who co-chairs the Midland County Democrats and helps marshal volunteers from a rented strip mall space decorated with campaign signs, district maps and a literal blue wall.
− GRINGLAS: For some Democrats, though, moving on has not been easy.
+ "I'm feeling very energized," said Midland Democrat Kate Savage, who thinks the narrative of Democrats being divided is overblown.
− A hundred miles away in the Detroit suburbs, post-primary unity was tested as El-Sayed hosted an event in Farmington Hills.
+ "I'm less worried about this year than I was in 2024. [Though] I think we've all learned our lesson that we're not just going to sit on our laurels because everyone hates Donald Trump. That's not true."
Midland County Democrats co-chairs Lara Bell Phillips and Kelly Taylor participated in an event for Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., in August. Sam Gringlas/NPR hide caption
Bringing Democrats together is one challenge. Another is winning over independents and Republican-leaning voters, including in this deep red corner of mid-Michigan.
− (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ABDUL EL-SAYED: When they lie on us and tell us that somebody like me can't win, I want to show them the big-hearted and open-minded Michigan I know.
+ There is also optimism that El-Sayed's populist message can attract infrequent and new voters, especially young people. "A lot of people who voted for Trump first voted for Bernie Sanders," co-chair Kelly Taylor said.
− GRINGLAS: The mayor here had endorsed El-Sayed's opponent in the primary.
+ Midland Democrat Kathleen Curell worries some of those persuadable voters may be scared off by some of El-Sayed's positions.
− Now she was on hand rallying for the nominee.
+ He has said he wants to abolish and replace ICE and in the past expressed support for diverting resources from police.
− But voter Judy Kessler and her three friends came hoping to hear more from El-Sayed.
+ In wall to wall ads, Republicans are characterizing El-Sayed as "dangerous."
"He's a great candidate, I want to feel hopeful, and I want to believe he's going to win," Curell said.
− They were hurt by his comments after a March vehicle attack on the nearby Temple Israel preschool.
+ "I would love to think people are changing.
− Members of the assailant's family had been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
+ But just the name alone, Abdul, some people are very tainted by the stereotypes.
− At the time, El-Sayed said in part that violence is a cycle and that hurt people hurt people.
+ I've talked to some of these people. They just really have qualms about it."
In an interview, Slotkin acknowledged there is work to do in Michigan, but is optimistic Democrats will coalesce. "Good Midwesterners, good Michiganders, are pragmatists and they understand that, okay someone wins a primary, and then you move on," Slotkin said.
− JUDY KESSLER: He knows that's a sensitivity for people around here.
+ For some Democrats, though, moving on has not been easy.
− GRINGLAS: Despite being billed as a town hall, El-Sayed did not take questions.
+ A hundred miles away, in the Detroit suburbs, post-primary unity was put to the test as El-Sayed hosted a town hall in Oakland County, which his opponent, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, carried in the primary.
− KESSLER: I feel like there was some mysterious thing in the room that no one was willing to say, people say this about me, let me tell you this, rather than just cliches.
+ "When they tell us that somebody like me can't win, I want to show them the big-hearted and open-minded Michigan I know," he told the crowd in Farmington Hills.
The mayor here had endorsed Stevens and now was on hand rallying the crowd for El-Sayed.
− And that's what I felt I got.
+ Much of the crowd waved campaign signs or arrived in blue Abdul T-shirts.
− GRINGLAS: Last week, El-Sayed came under renewed scrutiny for his relationship with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
+ But Judy Kessler and her three friends were among the unconvinced Democrats who came hoping to hear more from the nominee.
− Piker had made comments implying that Jews' support for Israel put them at risk of violence.
+ Though the event was billed as a town hall, El-Sayed ended up not taking questions.
The women said El-Sayed's comments after a March vehicle attack on the Temple Israel preschool were deeply painful.
− El-Sayed sought to distance himself from the controversy, calling antisemitism a scourge and saying Piker does not speak for the campaign.
+ At the time, El-Sayed said, in part, that, "Violence always begets violence.
− After the event, I asked El-Sayed how he's pivoting from the primary to cultivating broader appeal.
+ Only peace can extinguish that. Because hurt people hurt people." Members of the assailant's family had been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Some voters saw El-Sayed's words as excusing the attack. Kessler had hoped El-Sayed would address this.
− EL-SAYED: My message hasn't really changed, but we're a lot more focused on the contrast with Mike Rogers.
GRINGLAS: Rogers is his Republican opponent.
+ "He knows that's a sensitivity for people around here," Kessler said.
− I told El-Sayed about the conversation with Kessler.
+ "I feel like there was some mysterious thing in the room. No one was willing to say, 'People say this about me, but let me tell you this,' rather than just cliches. And that's what I feel like I got."
One of the friends, who asked NPR not to use her name because she's afraid to publicly disclose how she plans to vote, said while she would still likely vote for El-Sayed, she would not donate, volunteer or put a sign in the yard as she has done for Democratic candidates in the past.
− EL-SAYED: I know that the things that unify us are so much bigger than the things that divide us.
+ A few days later, El-Sayed apologized for his comment about the synagogue attack and took questions from voters during two events with members of the Michigan Democratic Jewish caucus.
− And I hope that I can continue to make the argument that inspires them to not just come out and vote, but to bring others out to vote.
+ He said he initially condemned the attack, but in a statement a couple of days later had wanted to offer context.
− GRINGLAS: A few days later, at events with Jewish Democrats, El-Sayed apologized for his comment after the Synagogue attack.
+ "I made a mistake," El-Sayed said at the Sunday event, according to a recording obtained by NPR.
− Whether that is enough is something Democrats like Kessler will now decide.
+ "There is opportunity for context later on, but when you give the right medicine at the wrong time, it's the wrong medicine… So for folks who felt like my comments were justifying an act of domestic terrorism, I did not intend it that way.
− Sam Gringlas, NPR News, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
+ I hope that you'll forgive me, and I'm sorry."
Also last month, comments by the streamer Hasan Piker revived criticism of El-Sayed's association with the left-wing streamer.
− Copyright © 2026 NPR.
+ Piker implied that Jews' support for Israel put them at risk of violence.
El-Sayed has come under criticism for his association with the left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
− All rights reserved.
+ Above, El-Sayed and Piker talk poolside at a party for content creators supporting the El-Sayed campaign on Aug.
− Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
+ 3, 2026, in Detroit.
− Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts may vary.
+ Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption
El-Sayed sought to distance himself from the controversy, calling antisemitism a scourge and saying Piker does not speak for the campaign, but not disavowing Piker himself.
On the heels of a paper-thin primary victory, Jewish voters are not the only group El-Sayed needed to make inroads with.
− Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio.
+ Asked in an interview after the Farmington Hills event how he is pivoting from the primary to cultivating broad appeal ahead of November, El-Sayed said he does not envision a major shift.
"To be honest, it hasn't really changed, but we're a lot more focused on the contrast with Mike Rogers," he said.
Rogers is El-Sayed's Republican opponent, a former congressman who lost an earlier Senate bid against Slotkin in 2024.
− Audio on npr.org may be edited after its original broadcast or publication.
+ Rogers, a vocal critic of Trump's conduct after the 2020 election, now has the president's endorsement and has embraced some of his false claims about election fraud.
− The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
+ Rogers has been trying to woo Democrats uncomfortable with El-Sayed, including Jewish voters, though it is not clear how many he has persuaded.
Alexander, the chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish caucus, said the El-Sayed campaign has been taking steps in recent weeks to repair relations with Jewish voters, including dialing down rhetoric singling out AIPAC.
When told by NPR what Kessler and her friends had said — that they want to vote Democratic but needed him to acknowledge and address their concerns, El-Sayed said, "I know there's going to be some differences, but the things that unify us are so much bigger than the things that divide us.
− NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews.
+ And I hope I can continue to make the argument that inspires them to not just come out and vote, but bring others out to vote."
NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews.
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