DSA Targets 2 Michigan Races, Backing El-Sayed and McKinney
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 6
DSA Targets 2 Michigan Races, Backing El-Sayed and McKinney
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 6
Summary
Michigan has become the Democratic Socialists of America’s next major battleground, with the group backing Abdul El-Sayed in a key statewide primary and Donavan McKinney against Rep. Shri Thanedar in the 13th District.
41% support in a late-June Quantus Insights poll put El-Sayed ahead of Rep. Haley Stevens at 36%, giving the left a fresh opening in a swing state.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have lined up behind El-Sayed, while Rep. Rashida Tlaib is organizing for both candidates and likening the moment to the 2018 insurgent wave.
Thanedar has become a particular DSA target after the group said it expelled him over a substantial values dispute; McKinney is attacking the incumbent over corporate PAC money and his progressive record.