Michigan Dems Split Over El-Sayed’s Campaign Ads
Michigan Democrats clash over Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s use of Tucker Carlson and a pro-Israel ad, sparking internal divisions.
2 min read
Middle of the election season, Michigan Democrats are facing internal turmoil over Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s decision to feature conservative commentator Tucker Carlson in a campaign ad. The ad, released last week, includes Carlson saying he “wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers at gunpoint,” referring to El-Sayed’s Republican opponent. The spot also includes clips of Fox News personalities praising El-Sayed, part of the Democrat’s effort to appeal to voters who might otherwise support President Donald Trump.
Backlash from Party Leaders
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), whom El-Sayed narrowly defeated in the August Democratic primary, called for the ad’s removal, stating its use of Carlson was an insult to the black congregation where the two Democrats are scheduled to appear Sunday alongside Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC). Former Obama administration official Van Jones also condemned El-Sayed’s use of Carlson, calling it an affront to the safety of black and Jewish people.
Rival Ad Campaign Sparks Debate
The backlash comes as El-Sayed faces demands from fellow Democrats to condemn a separate ad from Rebellion PAC that blamed U.S. support for Israel for the high cost of groceries and other expenses. The ad features a couple at a grocery store deciding which items to put back, suggesting that funding wars on Israel’s behalf has left Americans unable to afford food. Cenk Uygur, founder of The Young Turks and uncle of El-Sayed surrogate Hasan Piker, produced the ad and accused Rogers of being “bought” by Israel.
Demands for Accountability
Stevens condemned the spot as “fearmongering,” saying Democrats should not blame high prices on “the only Jewish homeland in the world.” She also urged El-Sayed to apologize for his own rhetoric about Israel and remove the Carlson advertisement, calling on him to show support for the Jewish and African American communities of her district.
El-Sayed’s Response
El-Sayed said the Rebellion PAC ad was not what he wanted to be discussing in the final stretch of the campaign. He also stated that he and Carlson did not agree on much but did agree with what Carlson had said about Rogers. He characterized Carlson’s comments as more of an attack on the Republican than an endorsement of himself.
Source: Daily Wire
