Bernie Sanders rallies Detroit crowd for El-Sayed, McKinney campaigns
Vermont senator energizes Detroit crowd with message that progressive victories elsewhere signal potential for El-Sayed and McKinney wins in Michigan.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont brought his progressive message to a packed gymnasium at Mumford High School on Sunday, rallying supporters for Michigan Democratic candidates Abdul El-Sayed and state Rep. Donavan McKinney as they pursue federal office.
Sanders highlighted recent progressive victories, including New York’s Zohran Mamdani’s upset mayoral win, as evidence that El-Sayed can succeed in Michigan’s August primary and November general election for U.S. Senate. The Vermont senator addressed an energetic crowd during his “Fighting Oligarchy” rally, returning to Detroit exactly one year after a similar event featuring the same candidates.
El-Sayed, who previously ran unsuccessfully in the 2018 gubernatorial primary, now finds himself in a competitive three-way race for U.S. Senate. He is running neck and neck with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham for the Democratic nomination.
McKinney Challenges Incumbent in House Race
Meanwhile, McKinney is mounting a primary challenge against current U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar of Detroit for the 13th Congressional District seat. Both candidates were exploring potential runs for higher office when Sanders last visited Detroit in May 2025.
The rally comes amid ongoing debate about whether progressive candidates can replicate electoral successes seen in other states. Sanders, whose Democratic Socialist policy agenda helped him win Michigan’s primary in 2016, expressed confidence that conditions favor another progressive wave in the Great Lakes state.
Progressive Movement Gains Momentum
“I want to give you some good news,” Sanders told the crowd. “As Rashida Tlaib will tell you, over the last several years we have seen tremendous progress in electing progressive candidates throughout this country.”
Sanders noted that recent victories by progressive candidates like Mamdani demonstrate the viability of similar campaigns in Michigan. The senator suggested that Michigan residents and the nation might be surprised by the strength of the progressive movement in the upcoming elections.
The event marked Sanders’ continued effort to build support for candidates who align with his anti-oligarchy message and progressive policy positions. Both El-Sayed and McKinney have embraced Sanders’ endorsement as they work to distinguish themselves in competitive Democratic primaries.
El-Sayed’s Senate campaign represents his second major statewide bid after his gubernatorial run eight years ago. McKinney’s House challenge against Thanedar sets up an intriguing primary battle in Detroit’s 13th Congressional District.
