Democrats
Abdul El-Sayed Hailed as 'Longtime Friend' of Democratic Socialists and Headlined Socialist Fundraiser With 'Squad' Member Before Claiming He Is 'Not Somebody Who Is a Socialist'
The Senate hopeful is trying to distance himself from the DSA in his statewide race in battleground Michigan. His record shows years of strong support.
Chuck Ross
July 20, 2026
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D.) is distancing himself from the Democratic Socialists of America, insisting he is "not technically or practically" a member of the radical group. But El-Sayed has been a markedly enthusiastic DSA supporter for years as he rose through Michigan's progressive political scene, repeatedly appearing at socialist events, including headlining a 2019 DSA fundraiser at which the group's Detroit chapter called him "a longtime friend."
At that event, which raised $10,000 for the chapter, a beaming El-Sayed was photographed arm in arm with a bevy of grinning socialists, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.)—a DSA member who belongs to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D., N.Y.) far-left "Squad"—in front of a Marxist-style pamphlet depicting a red DSA fist choking a snake labeled "CAPITALISM." Other prominent signage includes vintage-style union posters with a union slogan, "Solidarity has no borders," in Arabic calligraphy. Another poster on the wall behind Al-Sayed said "DETROIT DEMANDS A GREEN NEW DEAL," an environmental initiative championed in Washington by the "Squad."
El-Sayed spoke at five other Detroit DSA events between 2017 and 2020.
His fundraising for the DSA and his other appearances for the group shows he has maintained far more intimate ties to the socialist organization than his recent comments imply.
"I am not somebody who is a socialist. I believe in capitalism, I just believe that capitalism has to be regulated," he told CNN when asked about similarities between his platform and DSA's.
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/abdul-el-sayed-hailed-as-longtime-friend-of-democratic-socialists-and-headlined-socialist-fundraiser-with-squad-member-before-claiming-he-is-not-somebody-who-is-a-socialist/