Dem bigwigs rush to embrace El-Sayed in critical Michigan race, with Obama, Newsom reaching out

WASHINGTON — Democratic bigwigs are rushing to embrace Michigan Senate hopeful Dr.Abdul El-Sayed and present a united front, with California Gov.

Gavin Newsom expected to visit him Monday and former President Barack Obama giving him a call.The Dem powerbrokers are seemingly trying to soothe moderates in the Wolverine State who might have found El-Sayed too extreme during the bruising Senate primary and encourage them to back the progressive in November.Newsom, a long-speculated 2028 aspirant, hailed El-Sayed as a “fighter” and called for Dems to unite due to the “existential” moment the country faces.

“House races are important, but the Senate is in play, and it will go through this state.So, getting behind him is going to be important,” Newsom told reporters during his visit to Michigan.

“It’s going to be a very tough race in November.”El-Sayed’s primary fight against Rep.Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) was viewed as a “battle for the soul of the Democratic Party” because it pitted a mainstream candidate against a lefty.

Given El-Sayed’s embrace of notorious lefty figures such as Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who once said that “America deserved 9/11,” many observers have viewed him and Newsom as catering to different ends of the Democratic coalition.But Newsom rejected that notion and claimed that he’s an “insurgent insider.”“This notion of insurgency over incumbency is the real message here.

People just want fighters; they want people with conviction, strength, sincerity,” Newsom added.“I totally respect that.” “I’ve long felt like I’ve been an established insurgent.”The California Democrat has been working to build up his credibility with the progressive base after alienating it during his time as governor by vetoing certain pieces of legislation and opposing goals such as a temporary statewide wealth tax on billionaires.

Newsom said he drew some inspiration from former President Barack Obama’s call with El-S...