Michigan Senate candidate distances himself from commentator’s remarks about Jewish Americans

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, distanced himself Monday from progressive commentator Hasan Piker after Piker said rhetoric about Israel could lead to violence against American Jews. El-Sayed said antisemitism must be addressed and that only he and his campaign spokespeople speak for his campaign.

El-Sayed and Piker had appeared together at campaign events during the Democratic primary. Michigan congressional candidate Jeremy Moss criticized Piker’s remarks, while Republican opponent Mike Rogers called El-Sayed’s response inadequate.

The controversy comes as El-Sayed seeks to unify Democrats in a battleground state where the Senate race could help determine control of the chamber.

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