Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed listens during a news conference at the Spirit of Detroit monument Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republicans are working aggressively to make Abdul El-Sayed the face of the opposition.
The Democratic Senate nominee from Michigan was a frequent punching bag during this week’s GOP convention, where a steady stream of Republicans singled him out. They attacked his progressive views, his ties to a far-left commentator and his Muslim faith, elevating his profile as they look to paint all Democrats as radical extremists.
Mike Rogers, El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, alleged the Democrat is being funded by “terrorist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood” but offered no proof to back up his claim. President Donald Trump called him an “extremist” and attacked the political views of members of his family.
Several speakers used his full name, Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed. He would be the nation’s first Muslim senator.
