The United Auto Workers announced Friday their members endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
El-Sayed highlighted the fact he’s the only card-carrying union member of the field of candidates running for the opening Senate seat at the UAW CAP conference forum in February, where members were able to ask questions to each candidate.
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens are also running for the state’s Senate seat, being left open by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.
The nation is watching Michigan’s Democratic primary because the future of the Democratic Party is up for grabs. Progressives pushing moderate Democrats on city council’s and state legislatures across the country are looking for wins to prove their style of politics can win away from the coasts.
Progressives won key races at Michigan’s recent Democratic Party convention, where fractures within the party over corporate influence and the war in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran were transparent.
El-Sayed, and to a lesser degree, McMorrow, represent the wing of Democratic Party voters looking for change. Stevens’ backers say she’s not only the most experienced out of the candidates, she’s the only viable option to defeat former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
The union cited El-Sayed’s support for his universal healthcare plan, Medicare for All and his support for banning stock buybacks, in its endorsement.
“UAW members in Michigan want a fighter in Washington, D.C. who isn’t afraid to push forward a strong working-class agenda with moral clarity,” the international organization said in a statement. “Having never taken a dime from corporate PACs, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is someone we can trust to have our backs, including when we need it most – like come May Day 2028.”
The UAW represents 300,000 active and retired Michigan members across a wide array of sectors. Though the UAW’s endorsement would’ve been welcomed by any of the three candidates, the organization’s endorsement isn’t as powerful as it used to be.
El-Sayed has appeared at UAW fights throughout the campaign trail since last year. He rallied with laid-off UAW workers at Cleveland Cliffs and marched with UAW Local 600 members. On Friday, El-Sayed will be joining UAW Local 2093 American Axle workers on the picket line in Kalamazoo County to advocate for wage increases.
The union endorsed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over El-Sayed when he ran for governor in 2018.
The group’s endorsement of Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch in 2025 wasn’t enough to come close to Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s performance in that election.
The union on Friday also announced its endorsement of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s gubernatorial campaign.
Benson is running against Genesee Sheriff Chris Swanson, who has been turning his attention toward independents who had been supporting former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s unorthodox campaign for governor.
Duggan dropped his bid last month, giving Swanson’s campaign a renewed sense of momentum.
The primary election is Aug. 4. Absentee ballots will be sent to eligible voters at the end of the month. You can elect to receive ballots by mail as part of the state’s constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022.
