Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said Wednesday on CNN’s “OutFront” that Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is drawing interest even from some Republican voters.
Jayapal argued that Republicans have little to present to voters beyond attacks on El-Sayed. “I’m struck by the fact that they have nothing positive to offer voters,” she said, adding that opponents are trying to pin labels on him after a high-turnout primary. She pointed to what she described as roughly 1.4 million votes cast in Michigan’s primary and said enthusiasm around El-Sayed has been strong. “Being on the ground with Abdul, I can tell you he is an electrifying candidate,” Jayapal said. She credited him with energizing voters who had lost faith in the Democratic Party and in politics generally, and said some Republican voters were supporting him because they believe “the system is broken” and want a candidate who will fight for working people. Jayapal said she is looking forward to the general election, noting that the race was expected to be competitive regardless of who emerged from the primary.
She said that during her time in Michigan, some Republican voters told her El-Sayed may be “a little too left” for them but that they were still open to giving him a chance because they believe the status quo is failing. Jayapal framed that sentiment as part of a broader national mood, saying voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Colorado, New York, Washington state and elsewhere are frustrated with a system they believe favors the wealthiest Americans, billionaires and large corporations while failing to meet the daily needs of working people.
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