El-Sayed's Win Puts Arab American Voice in 2028 Spotlight

Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, paired with the state's likely early slot in the 2028 presidential nominating calendar, could amplify Arab American influence within the Democratic Party, according to prominent party members.

Michigan, home to almost 300,000 Arab Americans, could again hold an early nominating position. Under a calendar tentatively approved by Democratic National Committee leaders, South Carolina would vote first, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and then Virginia.

El-Sayed campaigned on ending U.S. aid to Israel. Since his primary win, he has been endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rallied with him. Sen. Mark Kelly and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore have also been in contact with him, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' political arm, said the earlier calendar slot means "our community be taken more seriously," adding that candidates without Arab American support will have no path to the White House in 2028.

James Zogby, a member of the DNC's Middle East working group, said candidates will need to clarify their positions on Israel before South Carolina votes, not just before Michigan.

Polling shows shifting Democratic attitudes: a July AP-NORC poll found 58% of Democrats now say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, up from 45% two years ago. In Congress, nearly half of House Democrats supported a measure this summer to eliminate U.S. aid to Israel, though it failed.

Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman, who was denied a speaking slot at the 2024 Democratic National Convention amid the "Uncommitted" movement, said Gaza policy has become "a sort of gut check" for candidates' willingness to stand up to special interests.

Former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said the Michigan primary will test how closely candidates align with voter sentiment on the issue. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel cautioned against reducing the party's 2024 losses in the state to any single issue, citing the state's diverse coalition of Black, Latino and union voters.