Sanders Backs El-Sayed in Michigan as Election Looms

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont defended Sen. Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan against a wave of Republican criticism on Saturday, arguing that the attacks are rooted in racism. The interview aired on CBS News hours before voters in all 50 states were set to cast ballots. Sanders, who is not seeking reelection, spoke from his office in Burlington.

The senator addressed a dispute within the Democratic Party in Michigan. Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed, publicly voiced concerns about her former rival. She cited issues with campaign ads and his views on Israel. Sanders dismissed the friction, stating that Stevens could understand being upset about a close loss, but voters were ready to support El-Sayed against GOP candidate Mike Rogers. Sanders described Rogers as a rubber stamp for the Trump administration.

Sanders pointed to specific Republican advertisements in Michigan as a catalyst for the state's political climate. He noted that the ads labeled El-Sayed, a medical doctor, as a terrorist and a jihadist. The senator called the messaging disgusting and racist. He said that if voters in Michigan were to look at the ads, they would see the disparity in tone between the two campaigns.

The conversation turned to national Republican figures who have targeted El-Sayed. Sanders referenced remarks by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and President Donald Trump. Cruz warned that El-Sayed’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood posed a risk to American lives if he gained access to classified intelligence. Trump stated that Michigan did not need a senator on the side of terrorists. Sanders labeled these comments as overt racism and said they should appall every decent American. He predicted El-Sayed would achieve a good victory as voters rebelled against the ugliness of the campaign.

Sanders also addressed the question of anti-Semitism. He acknowledged that his father’s family was killed by Hitler and that anti-Semitism is a dangerous ideology. However, he argued that criticizing the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the same as hating Jewish people. Sanders stated that saying American taxpayers should not fund a right-wing extremist government is a policy critique, not a religious attack.

The interview shifted to the U.S. Senate race in Alaska. Sanders commented on the strategy used by the Democratic candidate, Mary Peltola. He said the party’s effort to stack the ballot seemed dumb but was not illegal. He drew a parallel to Ohio, where a Republican Super PAC was funding a socialist candidate to take votes away from Sen. Sherrod Brown. Sanders argued that the federal government should not interfere in state elections, noting that President Trump had previously denied losing the 2020 election against Joe Biden.

Sanders noted that Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska told CNN he would accept the election results. The Justice Department indicated it might challenge the certification. In response, Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana argued that fraud had been perpetrated against Alaska voters. Sheehy stated that Peltola should not be seated if she won in a fraudulent manner. Sanders maintained that the people of Alaska should make their own decision on the validity of the vote.

Sanders concluded his remarks by reinforcing his support for working-class candidates. He highlighted the economic disparity in the country, noting that Elon Musk holds more wealth than the bottom 53% of American households. He said that candidates like Angie Nixon in Florida and Troy Jackson in Maine are mobilizing voters by focusing on an economy that works for all. Sanders emphasized that these issues resonate from Vermont to Florida.

The election is scheduled for today, November 1, 2026. Voters in 50 states will decide the balance of power in Washington. Sanders said he does not take anything for granted in the race. He expressed confidence that candidates talking about the right issues have a real chance to win the general election.