El-Sayed's agenda puts ‘permanently’ changed America on the line in Michigan Senate race, GOP firebrand warns
LANSING, Mich. — As Michigan's Senate race heats up ahead of November's general election, Republican nominee Mike Rogers faces off against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in a contest that could help determine control of the upper chamber. Now, a prominent Republican voice is raising concerns about El-Sayed's positions on Islamic law and his political alliances.
Tudor Dixon, who ran as the GOP nominee for Michigan governor in 2022, has been vocal in her criticism of El-Sayed, arguing that his election would fundamentally alter American governance.
"This is someone who fundamentally disagrees with the Constitution and the founding of this country," Dixon told Fox News Digital. "This is somebody who wants to go into government to permanently change America."
Dixon's primary focus has been El-Sayed's stance on Sharia law bans. She points to a 2022 speech he delivered to the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, where El-Sayed argued that efforts to prohibit Sharia law are rooted in white supremacy and connected to historical injustices against Native Americans and Black Americans.
"The average American is terrified of the idea of groups coming in and taking over our culture," Dixon said. "That's something the people of Michigan need to know."
El-Sayed has also drawn scrutiny for his campaign appearances alongside Hasan Piker, a progressive streamer with roughly 10 million social media followers. Piker has faced significant backlash for past comments, including assertions that "America deserved 9/11" and controversial remarks about Hamas and the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Dixon argues that El-Sayed's refusal to distance himself from Piker reveals troubling priorities. "He's campaigning with a man who says America deserved 9/11 and refusing to back down on that," she said.
When pressed on the association during an April appearance on "Fox & Friends," El-Sayed pushed back, stating that appearing with someone does not imply agreement on all issues.
The Michigan Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters has emerged as one of the most competitive races in the country. Both parties view it as crucial to their chances of controlling the Senate.
Dixon, who has been actively campaigning for Rogers, expressed concerns about El-Sayed's economic proposals, characterizing them as extreme. "He wants government that will take over people," she said. "You won't thrive. Everybody will be equally suffering."
El-Sayed has rejected the socialist label, telling critics, "I believe in capitalism, I just believe that capitalism has to be regulated."
Looking ahead to November, Dixon acknowledged that straight-ticket voting could benefit El-Sayed, as some Democrats who opposed him in the primary might still support his candidacy. However, she believes crossover voting to Rogers remains possible.
"The question is, will people hold their nose and straight-ticket vote?" Dixon said. "It means the Republicans have to work very hard."
The race has also highlighted El-Sayed's long political journey. As a student speaker at the University of Michigan's 2007 commencement alongside former President Bill Clinton, El-Sayed told graduates they must have "the audacity to believe we can change the world."
Dixon offered her own interpretation of that message: "What he really meant was destroy America."
El-Sayed's campaign did not respond to requests for comment on Dixon's criticisms.
