Why we’re watching: If you’ve watched the news at all over the last week, you’ve likely noted the uproar over the decision by Acton’s Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy to platform Acton’s estranged mother in a campaign ad. It’s a stomach-turning moment in American politics, to be sure, but the justified outcry around the ad could also turn into momentum for Acton’s campaign.
Abdul El-Sayed
Photo: Getty Images
Race: Michigan Senate
Key policies: El-Sayed identifies himself as a capitalist rather than a socialist, but he’s still on board with progressive policies including Medicare for All, universal access to health care, reining in and regulating AI, and taxing billionaire wealth.
Why we’re watching: El-Sayed’s campaign has become something of a lightning rod for discourse around Muslim identity in the US, with El-Sayed speaking out against Israel’s actions in Gaza and denying his opponent’s baseless claims that El-Sayed is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has garnered support from major political figures including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, former President Barack Obama, US Senator Bernie Sanders, and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Troy Jackson
Photo: Getty Images
