The United Auto Workers International Union is throwing its considerable weight behind Abdul El‑Sayed, endorsing him in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary and handing the progressive candidate a marquee organized‑labor boost ahead of the August vote. The backing from one of the state’s most influential unions injects fresh energy into a three‑way contest with U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and could mean serious on‑the‑ground help in Detroit and other manufacturing counties this summer.
UAW frames pick as a vote for a 'fighter'
On its Facebook page, the UAW’s International Union cast Dr. El‑Sayed as a candidate who “has never taken a dime from corporate PACs” and said members want “a fighter in Washington, D.C. who isn’t afraid to push forward a strong working‑class agenda,” according to Deadline Detroit. The post also highlighted El‑Sayed’s support for Medicare for All and a ban on stock buybacks as key reasons for the endorsement. Rather than issuing a formal press release, union leaders pushed out the message on social media, Deadline Detroit noted.
El‑Sayed welcomes the endorsement
El‑Sayed’s campaign quickly seized on the news. “I am deeply honored and proud to have earned the support of the UAW,” he said in a campaign statement reported by Deadline Detroit. The endorsement gives El‑Sayed added organized‑labor credibility as he battles Stevens and McMorrow for the Democratic nomination, in a race that has already drawn national coverage. A late‑May debate showcased clear contrasts on policy and electability between the three contenders, according to AP.
Polls show the primary is still up for grabs
Recent polling underscores how fluid the contest remains. A Mitchell Research survey conducted for MIRS in early May put El‑Sayed in the high‑20s, while a Lake Research Partners memo from late May showed him crossing the 30‑percent mark. The Mitchell/MIRS poll ran May 1 through 7, and the Lake Research snapshot covered May 26 through 28, offering two different reads on voter preferences within the same month. In a race this unsettled, endorsements and field muscle can matter. As both the MIRS/Mitchell Research polling and a Lake Research memo posted on El‑Sayed’s campaign site make clear, the exact numbers vary depending on the pollster.
Why the UAW endorsement matters
The UAW still carries serious political clout in Michigan. Its Solidarity House in Detroit serves as the international headquarters for a union that lists hundreds of thousands of active and retired members on its website. Beyond headlines, that translates into volunteers, voter contact lists, and a network of local unions that can turn a paper endorsement into real votes, especially in industrial counties beyond the suburbs. Earlier this year, the UAW hosted a Michigan Senate forum at its CAP conference, bringing candidates in front of members face‑to‑face, a reminder that union leaders can mobilize both persuasion and infrastructure behind a preferred nominee, according to the UAW.
What to watch next
The clock is now ticking. Michigan’s primary is Aug. 4, leaving only a short window for El‑Sayed and his rivals to convert the UAW endorsement into turnout, volunteer sign‑ups, and shop‑floor support. With polls bouncing between El‑Sayed and Stevens, the Aug. 4 primary will show whether organized labor’s nod shifts the numbers where it matters most - among likely Democratic primary voters in the state’s blue‑collar strongholds. Voters can find official dates, deadlines, and election information from the Michigan Bureau of Elections at Michigan.gov.
