# El-Sayed courts Democrats after bitter primary

> Michigan's progressive Senate nominee meets with party leaders to mend fences and secure support for the general election.
- Title: El-Sayed courts Democrats after bitter primary · Fox News
- Summary: Michigan's progressive Senate nominee meets with party leaders to mend fences and secure support for the general election. El-Sayed is rebuilding…
- Keywords: abdul el-sayed, michigan senate, democratic primary, chuck schumer, haley stevens, senate democrats, 2024 election, progressive candidate, hasan piker, democratic establishment, news, politics
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/dem-insurgent-turns-charm-party-establishment-schumer-leaves-bitter-feud-hanging
- Author: Alex Miller
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: abdul el-sayed, michigan senate, democratic primary, chuck schumer, haley stevens, senate democrats, 2024 election, progressive candidate, hasan piker, democratic establishment, news, politics
## Progressive insurgent seeks establishment backing
Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed traveled to Washington to meet with top Democratic leaders after running his primary campaign against the party establishment.
## Schumer stays noncommittal on support
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the meeting was great and friendly but would not confirm whether he and El-Sayed had resolved their differences or would campaign together.

> Look, we have to win Michigan, and we had a great and friendly meeting.
## Bitter primary battle with Stevens
El-Sayed's primary fight against Rep. Haley Stevens was one of the most contentious Democratic races this cycle, pitting progressive insurgents against the party establishment.
## Some senators pledge campaign help
Senators Mark Kelly, Ed Markey, and Chris Murphy said they would help El-Sayed, with Kelly planning to visit Michigan and Markey offering to raise money.

> I'm gonna be in Michigan here in a couple of weeks.
## Peters shifts from Stevens endorsement
Retiring Sen. Gary Peters, who initially backed Haley Stevens, is now endorsing El-Sayed and says Democrats are coming together for the general election.

> The Democrats are coming together. We understand how important this election is.
## Hasan Piker controversy largely ignored
Democrats did not focus on El-Sayed's relationship with controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker during the meeting, with some senators claiming unfamiliarity with him.

> Hasan what? I don't even know who that is.
## El-Sayed dismisses Piker questions
When pressed about Hasan Piker, El-Sayed said Michigan voters care about affordability, not the controversy, and that the conversation is removed from what people are discussing.

> They really don't care about that. They really don't.
## Democrats confident about Michigan
Senate Democrats are determined to flip Michigan and keep it blue, viewing it as essential to gaining Senate control from Republicans who currently hold a 53-47 majority.

> He's gonna win.
## Key takeaway

El-Sayed is rebuilding relationships with the Democratic establishment after a contentious primary, though key leaders remain noncommittal about campaigning with him.