Abdul El Sayed faces scrutiny over past socialist ties and deleted posts

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El Sayed is facing political scrutiny following recent news reports regarding his past affiliations and online comments. The New York Post reported that a newly surfaced 2019 photo links El Sayed to activist Linda Sarsour, who called him a new member of the Democratic Socialists of America. The report stated that this photo contradicts statements he made during a televised debate with his Republican opponent. [1][3]

Separately, freebeacon.com reported on deleted social media posts in which El Sayed called France a colonizer during the World Cup. The same outlet reported that El Sayed cheered for Morocco rather than the United States and claimed to speak for the African and Arab diaspora. [2]

El Sayed is an epidemiologist who serves as the Democratic nominee for the 2026 United States Senate election in Michigan. He previously served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department from 2015 to 2017 and later directed the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services. He also served on the 2020 healthcare unity task force for President Joe Biden. [3][5]

The latest reports follow recent campaign developments in the race to replace retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, as FTMQ News reported earlier. El Sayed recently participated in a debate in Grand Rapids against Republican candidate Mike Rogers, where the candidates clashed over Middle East policy. [1][6]