Abdul El-Sayed's campaign is claiming record fundraising and big-name liberal endorsements from the likes of Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen as his race draws to a close.
The leftwing former public health official has been the headline of the midterm elections after primary opponent Haley Stevens changed her endorsement to Republican opponent Mike Rogers Sunday.
While Stevens has launched a Democrat civil war with numerous follow up statements against El-Sayed, many of the left's biggest names and donors have responded by boosting their nominee.
The Abdul for Senate campaign touted fundraising to the tune of $2.4million on Sunday, the day Stevens went to a church event with Rogers and endorsed him, the campaign's biggest fundraising day by far.
Over 65,000 donors gave to El-Sayed at an average contribution of about $36 and the campaign's best day since his primary win in August.
'This record-breaking grassroots fundraising haul is a testament to the excitement that Abdul's movement has inspired in the hearts of Michiganders—and a rejection of the status quo politics that's left Michigan behind for far too long,' campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak said.
El-Sayed received a celebrity boost after Stevens' defection, as rock star Springsteen publicly endorsed him.
'Dr. El-Sayed is a fighter for our American Constitution, he's a fighter for our American Democracy, and he's a fighter against the corrupt, lawless, and anti-American leadership currently in the White House. That's why I'm in his corner 100 percent,' Springsteen wrote on social media.
Abdul El-Sayed's (pictured) campaign is claiming record fundraising and big-name liberal endorsements from the likes of Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen as his race draws to a close
The leftwing former public health official has been the headline of the midterm elections after primary opponent Haley Stevens (pictured) changed her endorsement to Republican opponent Mike Rogers Sunday
Springsteen, one of the Democrats' most prominent advocates, famously has endorsed nominees up and down the party.
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Fonda also announced her endorsement on behalf of her environmental PAC, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, with some shade for Stevens.
'Unlike some people today, we are focused on taking back the Senate. Jane is proud to stand with @abdulelsayed! Let's get money out of politics, put money back in your pocket, and pass Medicare for All,' she wrote.
Hillary Clinton, a decade ago the standard bearer for the party, also spoke in favor of El-Sayed in multiple interviews on Monday.
She told CNN she was baffled by Stevens' behavior and thought it could work in El-Sayed's favor.
'I have no idea what her thinking was. If it has any impact, I think it will end up helping Abdul,' she said.
Clinton, who herself fought a nasty primary against Barack Obama in 2008 and Bernie Sanders in 2016, spoke from experience.
'Everybody who runs for office, who doesn't make it is going to feel disappointed, maybe hurt, even a little angry. But you got to put that behind you and get together in order to beat what is a huge danger to our future. And that's what should have happened here.'
El-Sayed received a celebrity boost after Stevens' defection, as rock star Bruce Springsteen (pictured) publicly endorsed him
Jane Fonda (pictured) also announced her endorsement on behalf of her environmental PAC, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, with some shade for Stevens
The Daily Mail has reached out to the El-Sayed campaign regarding the new wave of endorsements.
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The stunning U-turn has sparked fury across the Democratic Party, with senior lawmakers condemning Stevens, members of her staff resigning and President Donald Trump celebrating her decision.
Fellow Michigan Democrat Debbie Dingell had said Stevens assured her on Saturday night that she would not endorse Rogers.
Yet the following morning, Stevens appeared alongside the Republican at Detroit's Perfecting Church, abandoning plans to campaign with El-Sayed.
Pressed by Anderson Cooper about what had changed overnight late Sunday, Stevens replied: 'I woke up this morning clear-eyed, fresh and focused on what was in my heart and that's that.'
As the interview became increasingly tense, she accused the CNN host of being upset with her.
'You're not really answering any of my questions, so it's somewhat frustrating,' Cooper responded.
The Michigan lawmaker defended her stunning U-turn in a lengthy post on X on Monday night, accusing fellow Democrats of intolerance, criticizing their candidate El-Sayed and furiously denying claims her fiancé had influenced her decision.
Hillary Clinton, a decade ago the standard bearer for the party, also spoke in favor of El-Sayed in multiple interviews on Monday
The statement, entitled 'The Decisions We Make,' came after the disastrous CNN interview on Sunday night in which Cooper repeatedly challenged Stevens to explain what had suddenly changed her mind.
The spectacle delighted Republicans, with President Donald Trump praising Stevens as a 'Highly Respected Democrat' and expressing hope she might join his party.
Her fellow Democrats were considerably less impressed.
Michigan Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel accused her of abandoning her principles, while Dingell described the CNN exchange as 'one of the most painful interviews I have watched.'
Stevens' longtime chief of staff also resigned, declaring: 'We are shocked and heartbroken.'
Despite the condemnation, Stevens ended Monday's statement by insisting she wanted to help rebuild the very party whose Senate candidate she had just abandoned.
'There is healing to be done in Michigan, in our party, and in our country,' she wrote.
'We can build a stronger, more welcoming, more courageous Democratic Party. And I plan to help lead that effort.'
Mike Rogers (pictured), 63, the Republican candidate, has tried to tie El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood
El-Sayed, 42, the Democratic nominee, who would be America's first Muslim senator, has proved to be a lightning rod for Republicans.
President Trump has attacked him perhaps more than any other candidate, calling him a 'jihadist,' while Mike Rogers, 63, the Republican candidate, has tried to tie him to the Muslim Brotherhood.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, has disavowed the group and denied any connection with it. He has also faced a backlash over links to the controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker.
The race had been rated a toss-up by the influential Cook Report, which assesses that no state is giving Democrats as much 'heartburn' as Michigan.
New @CookPolitical: our final Senate ratings are live. We're projecting a Dem gain of 3-6 seats, and #MISEN moves from Toss Up to Lean D. Full analysis by @JessicaTaylor: https://t.co/FWYMxXQWl2 pic.twitter.com/wsCVwbMEIY
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 2, 2026
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