Senior Senator Breaks With Schumer, Endorses Progressive El-Sayed in Michigan Primary

Maryland’s Van Hollen, a former chair of the Senate Democratic campaign arm, becomes the second senator to back El-Sayed.

Michigan Democratic candidates (Left) Rep. Haley Stevens, (Center) state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and Abdul El-Sayed. AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., J. Scott Applewhite, Paul Sancya

Maryland’s senior senator endorsed progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Aug. 4 Democratic Senate primary, breaking with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is backing Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.). 

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who shared the endorsement first with The Associated Press as early voting opened in Michigan on June 25, is the first senator to back El-Sayed since Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) did so shortly after his campaign launched last year.