Abdul El-Sayed peppered with questions on Hasan Piker link, fracture with Jewish Dems at Michigan convention
Abdul El‑Sayed Focuses on Michigan Issues After Press Questions at Democratic Convention
In a media briefing at the Lansing Center on Saturday, Abdul El‑Sayed—who is running as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate—re‑asserted that his campaign is centered on the everyday concerns of Michiganders rather than on controversies involving a California Twitch streamer.
The 59‑year‑old former mayor of Detroit was questioned by reporters about his relationship with Hasan Piker, a far‑left online personality who has made a number of antisemitic statements. Piker, who campaigned with El‑Sayed during the primary, has been criticized for remarks such as “America deserved 9/11” and praising Mao Zedong. In response, El‑Sayed said, “We’re in the state of Michigan. If you want to make this race about a streamer in California, I just think you’re missing the boat.” He reiterated that his priority was “affordability in Michigan… seeing a doctor in Michigan… Donald Trump’s disastrous policies in Michigan.”
El‑Sayed also addressed his March comments following a synagogue shooting in Michigan that was linked by federal investigators to a gunman inspired by Hezbollah. When Fox News Digital asked him about the remarks, El‑Sayed said, “To anybody who feels like my comments may have been hurtful, I’m really sorry. That was not my intention.” He added, “We condemned that terrorist attack. We condemned it outright… what I was trying to do was offer context for why it happened, but it wasn’t the time for context and you don’t ever want to trample somebody’s pain.”
The candidate’s apology came amid growing criticism from within the party. Michigan Secretary of State Dana Nessel declined to attend the convention after expressing concerns about anti‑Semitic rhetoric in the Democratic ranks. Several Jewish Democratic leaders have voiced worry that El‑Sayed’s statements and his association with Piker could alienate Jewish voters.
Despite the controversy, the convention’s theme—“unity”—was embraced by the assembled candidates. Several statewide hopefuls spoke on the stage, rallying attendees around a shared opposition to President Donald Trump and a call for cohesion within the party. El‑Sayed urged Democrats to “come together” and move past the divisions that have surfaced during his campaign.
The Lansing convention, attended by thousands of Michigan Democrats, reflected the state’s attempt to balance a high‑profile campaign with the need to address internal tensions and ensure that the message of the party remains focused on Michigan’s economic and social issues.