Overview
- Ocasio‑Cortez formally backed Abdul El‑Sayed on Thursday, July 2, 2026, throwing her first contested Senate primary endorsement of the cycle behind the progressive candidate.
- The endorsement deepens a public split with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has endorsed centrist Rep. Haley Stevens and argues Stevens is more electable in a state President Trump won in 2024.
- El‑Sayed leads a slate of progressive backers that includes Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and the UAW, and his campaign emphasizes Medicare for All, economic populism and online messaging.
- Republicans say El‑Sayed would be easier to beat in November and Democrats note his past comments on Israel and Gaza have become a liability in outreach to Michigan’s Arab American and Jewish communities; the likely GOP opponent is former Rep. Mike Rogers.
- Public and private polls show El‑Sayed narrowly ahead but the Aug. 4 Democratic primary remains competitive and will determine who faces a closely watched general election that could affect control of the U.S. Senate.