MICHIGAN—The national progressive group Indivisible endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic US Senate primary election on Tuesday, throwing its volunteer network behind the candidate who is already leading polls in the race to succeed retiring US Sen. Gary Peters.
The endorsement follows a weekend vote in which a supermajority of Indivisible’s Michigan members also backed El-Sayed. The statewide coalition and four local chapters endorsed him on Saturday. All told, El-Sayed took 80% of its final vote—well past the group’s 60% threshold.
“El-Sayed is the leader this moment demands. As a physician, public health leader, and lifelong Michigander, Abdul has dedicated his career to improving working people’s lives,” Ezra Levin, co-director of Indivisible, said in a press release. “He understands that the government should work for ordinary people, not corporations, billionaires, or well-connected political insiders.”
For El-Sayed, the practical payoff of the endorsement is bodies: Indivisible says it will scale up phone banks, texting, and canvassing to “unprecedented” levels for its endorsed candidates this cycle, plugging his campaign into a nationwide volunteer operation ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.
It’s also a direct shot at the party establishment. US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is supporting US Rep. Haley Stevens, who some Democrats see as the safest—and perhaps the least politically polarizing—bet to beat Republican candidate Mike Rogers in November.
But Indivisible’s rules bar endorsements for anyone who takes direct donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which is fueling Stevens’ campaign this cycle.
“If you like Chuck Schumer and the status quo, Stevens is your candidate,” Levin said in a statement. “Abdul is offering something too rare in Washington: a willingness to fight. … He has the vision, record, and courage to challenge the status quo and deliver for Michiganders.”
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow is also running and recently scored a high-profile endorsement from the Detroit Free Press. But Indivisible members collectively decided that El-Sayed’s “grassroots movement focused on lowering costs, protecting communities, and taking on powerful interests” make him the more compelling candidate in the primary election.
“Perhaps the single greatest threat to our democracy has been the prevalence of money in politics,” Naomi Ernest, group leader of Saline Indivisible said in a statement. “From the beginning, Abdul’s values have been clear and consistent; he has always refused corporate donations and has made Money Out of Politics a centerpiece of his campaign. We believe Abdul stands above other candidates on this core issue. We know he will continue to work to improve democracy, so our voices are heard, and so government works better for all of us.”
El-Sayed, a physician, former public health official, and former Wayne County Health Director, has largely centered his campaign on expanding healthcare access, lowering costs for working families, strengthening workers’ rights, and reducing the influence of corporate cash in politics.
His mantra is “Money out of politics. Money in your wallet. Medicare for all.”
Indivisible also pointed to El-Sayed’s commitment to grassroots organizing, healthcare affordability, economic justice, and people-powered politics in announcing the endorsement.
It also says all endorsed candidates also “represent a break with failed, status quo Democratic Party leadership” and “commit to driving toward a true opposition party in 2026 and beyond.”
Indivisible has also endorsed Democrats William Lawrence and Donovan McKinney, who are running to represent Michigan’s 7th and 13th congressional districts, respectively.
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