AP Exclusive: Sen. Van Hollen backs El-Sayed for Michigan Senate in break from Democratic leadership

[demmiblue]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen is backing progressive Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, breaking with party leadership and intensifying a battle over the party’s direction in one of the most important Senate races of 2026.

Van Hollen’s endorsement, shared first with The Associated Press on the day early voting begins in Michigan, makes him the first senator to back El-Sayed since Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed him shortly after he launched his campaign last year. It also comes on the heels of big wins for progressive challengers in New York U.S. House races on Tuesday.

The Aug. 4 race in Michigan has increasingly split Democrats along ideological lines, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer backing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow drawing support from other prominent senators.

Democrats will need to hold the Michigan seat if they want a shot at winning the majority this year. It opened by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement and former Rep. Mike Rogers has an uncontested path to the Republican nomination.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/michigan-democrats-senate-elsayed-van-hollen-506138f60767f1907340eb89373c80c8

[SSJVegeta]

1. The progressives may come out strong after November

Hopefully..

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. We just have two enemies to overcome

MAGA and Dem "Leadership".

[LuvLoogie]

3. I wouldn't call Dem leadership enemies.

Perhaps, dated with old data and calculus. Our enemies are laziness, lack of adaptability.

[Miguelito Loveless]

6. Anyone who refuses to stand against tyranny

and who impede those standing against tyranny are enemies of democracy. Our leadership is beholden to political consultants who waste our donations by the billions on tactics that last worked in the 90s. Than, and/or they are beholden to the Billionaire Class and act in their interests and not their constituents.

[LuvLoogie]

8. A leader who is no longer effective is not an enemy. Our party leaders are elected by our caucus.

Those within our party who would run against the current leadership, would not consider the leaders enemies. We all are free to form our own parties if the one/s were in are not working for us. There are true quislings like Fetterman and Sinema, but I would not consider Schumer or Jeffries as enemies. I just don't think they are employing the right politics.

Take Nancy Pelosi for instance. She took AoC under her wing, and they were both stronger for it. Nancy is as establishment as it gets, but her talent drive and seriousness are unsurpassed by ANYONE in our party. She recognized that AoC had the right stuff. I like our establishment Dems mostly. I just think it's time for them to let others establish themselves as our leaders.

Mamdani is an example of someone is is not waiting for permission. He did not call the establishment enemies. He challenged them, offered a return to justice and the well-being of citizens. THAT's what we're supposed to be about.

Jeffries was perturbed by this NY primary. It will either light a fire within him or he will be passed over if we ever gain back the gavel for whatever minute our current leadership is playing for.

[DemocracyForever]

10. Agreed!

The don't fight back, go along to get along strategy of the last 25 years is a clearly failed strategy that has put our country on the verge of becoming a Nasi dictatorship. The dem grass roots understands this and they want change, now before it's too late. The dem grass roots doesn't want another don't fight back dem in the Senate.

[DrFunkenstein]

7. A Willingness to Tackle Corruption, Prioritize The Working Class Over The Donor Class

We need to show the leadership that economic populism and an anti-corruption platform with teeth is the direction home, not hoping to be seen as the lesser evil.

[DemocracyForever]

9. Exactly!

[EuterpeThelo]

4. Mallory McMorrow

If I lived in Michigan, she'd have my vote. I've considered her "one to watch" for a couple of years now.

[DemocracyForever]

11. I totally agree with you.

[BlueMTexpat]

5. Chris Van Hollen is

MY Senator!

I am SO fortunate! He really is in there fighting the good fight as hard as he can!