WASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is putting $1 million behind Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate campaign, underscoring the New York Democrat’s growing influence among progressives as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Her investment adds fresh national attention to one of the most closely watched Senate contests in the country.
Speaking to supporters Thursday during a campaign stop in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Ocasio-Cortez said she would move the money from her New York campaign operation to Michigan to support El-Sayed.
“I will be transferring from our campaign in New York one million dollars to the state of Michigan to help support you all,” Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat representing New York, said. “So I’m not talking about it — I’m being about it.” The contribution will go to the Abdul for Michigan Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee affiliated with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee.
The donation highlights Ocasio-Cortez’s considerable fundraising strength. She led all House members in fundraising last year, bringing in $23.5 million from donors in New York and across the country.
Her main campaign committee currently holds more than $17 million in cash, giving her substantial resources to support candidates and causes aligned with her progressive agenda.
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The “Squad” lawmaker, who has been mentioned as a potential 2028 challenger to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer or as a possible White House contender, endorsed El-Sayed in July. He later secured the Democratic nomination by defeating Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s primary.
“If Abdul can win in Michigan, anybody can win anywhere,” Ocasio-Cortez told contributors at a New York City fundraiser for the former public health official, The New York Times reported.
Schumer had supported Stevens, who presented herself during the primary as the more pro-Israel choice compared with El-Sayed.
El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election. Rogers, who is making another bid for the Senate, previously chaired the House Intelligence Committee and worked as an FBI special agent.
The Michigan race is among several contests expected to help determine control of the Senate this November. Republicans currently hold a slim 53-47 majority in the chamber.
Ocasio-Cortez is also not the only prominent Democrat campaigning for El-Sayed. Former President Barack Obama has released an advertisement backing the progressive candidate and is scheduled to join him at a Detroit rally later this month.
