Why an El-Sayed win in Michigan is important for Ocasio-Cortez

As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) considers whether she’ll run for president or seek a New York Senate seat, the outcome of Michigan’s Senate race pitting a progressive Democrat against a former GOP congressman could help shape her decision. 

Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is battling former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) to succeed the retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

A win by El-Sayed would give progressives a tangible data point to bolster their argument that their brand of politics can win statewide — particularly in a critical battleground state like Michigan.

And the victory could be especially significant for Ocasio-Cortez, who is set to campaign with El-Sayed this week.

Ocasio-Cortez will join El-Sayed beginning Thursday on a two-day swing through Michigan where she will appear on his “It Shouldn’t Be This Hard” bus tour through the state’s Upper Peninsula. On Friday, she’ll appear in southeastern Michigan for campaign rallies at two colleges and a separate event with Latino voters. 

A win by El-Sayed could strengthen the case for the congresswoman to launch a presidential bid in 2028 and build on that momentum, Democratic strategists say.

“The one race in 2026 that will impact what happens in 2028 is the Michigan Senate race,” said Democratic strategist Joel Payne. “That will set the tone for the 2028 primary field and will do a lot to prove theories from all sides of the Democratic coalition.”

While El-Sayed is not a democratic socialist, his campaign themes are very similar to Ocasio-Cortez’s on the economy and foreign policy — from supporting Medicare for All to harsh criticisms of U.S.........

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