Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Democratic Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is “making it easier” for Republicans to flip the battleground seat, arguing that the progressive candidate is out of step with Michigan voters.
Scott Sees El-Sayed Helping Republicans Win
“I’m certain that Abdul El-Sayed is making it easier. Because he is inconsistent with Michiganders of either side of the aisle,” Scott told CNN on Sunday. “He’s just wrong for Michigan.” Scott chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has previously predicted Republicans will retain their Senate majority.
Republicans have made El-Sayed’s ideology central to their campaign. Vice President JD Vance called him a fake “working-class hero”, while GOP ads describe him as the race’s “most dangerous” candidate. El-Sayed’s “I’m pretty damn dangerous” remark, however, targeted establishment Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), not public safety.
Scott denied that using El-Sayed’s full name, Abdulrahman Mohammed El-Sayed, was meant to highlight his Muslim faith. “Not at all,” Scott said. “He’s right. We should trust his words, not ours.”
El-Sayed Upset Reshapes Michigan Senate Race
El-Sayed, a 41-year-old physician and former Detroit health director, narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens by less than one percentage point. Reuters said his grassroots campaign drew record Democratic primary turnout, while AP reported he overcame more than $60 million in opposition spending and built a 12,000-person volunteer network. His upset strengthened progressives’ hand.
He now faces Republican Mike Rogers for the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters (D). Michigan is central to Democrats’ hopes of overturning the GOP’s 53-47 Senate majority, and Trump carried the state in 2024.
GOP Targets Foreign Policy And Associations
Republicans also plan to attack El-Sayed over immigration, Israel and his association with streamer Hasan Piker. El-Sayed campaigns on Medicare for All and ending unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel.
Scott said Republicans would portray El-Sayed as “sympathetic for Hamas.” El-Sayed strongly opposes the Iran war and has criticized AIPAC-backed campaigns.
Photo courtesy: Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com
