Michigan Senate Primary Heats Up as El-Sayed Rallies With Controversial Streamer Hasan Piker

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is taking heat from fellow candidates and community leaders after scheduling campaign appearances with Hasan Piker, a controversial online streamer accused of making antisemitic remarks.

El-Sayed, backed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, will hold campus rallies at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University this week with Piker, who has become a lightning rod for criticism from across the political spectrum.

The decision marks a flashpoint in the competitive Democratic primary for the Senate seat being vacated by Gary Peters. El-Sayed is vying for the nomination against Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, with the winner likely facing former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in November.

Piker remains largely unapologetic for his past remarks, although he has said some were poorly worded.

There is definitely, I think, a battle right now for who gets to be more representative of the national Democratic Party, Piker said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The 34-year-old Turkish American streamer has 3.1 million followers on Twitch and 1.8 million on YouTube, making him an influential voice in a shifting media landscape where mainstream outlets are losing clout. Unlike traditional podcasts, his livestreams are often unscripted and interactive.

He has hosted prominent Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

There is definitely, I think, a battle right now for who gets to be more representative of the national Democratic Party, Piker said in an interview with The Associated Press.

He has hosted prominent Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Piker said he is a megaphone for an angry electorate, and he believes the criticism that he faces is less about him personally and more about what he represents — a younger, more populist wing of the party.

I think they find me to be a more appropriate target than to just actively disparage the voters, Piker said.

El-Sayed, who has been backed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, is attempting to channel that appeal in appearances at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on Tuesday.

A physician and former county health official, he is locked in a competitive Senate primary with U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow.

It is a critical race for a seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and the winner of the primary will likely face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers.

The three candidates have differing views on U.S. foreign policy toward Israel. Both El-Sayed and McMorrow have described the war in Gaza as a genocide. El-Sayed wants to stop all military assistance while McMorrow has pushed for a two-state solution. Stevens has described herself as a proud pro-Israel Democrat.

McMorrow told Jewish Insider that Piker was someone who says extremely offensive things in order to generate clicks and views and followers, and she compared him to white supremacist Nick Fuentes.

Trump decision to dine with Fuentes between his presidencies ignited a firestorm of controversy over his association with extreme voices on the right.

Stevens said El-Sayed is choosing to campaign with someone who has a history of antisemitic rhetoric.

El-Sayed responded to the backlash over Piker by saying if we want to have a conversation where were actually bringing people together about the things that we need and deserve, were gonna have to go to unlikely and uncommon places.

Not everyone in the party wants to go to those places. Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, who chairs the moderate New Democratic Coalition and co-chairs the Congressional Jewish Caucus, called Piker an unapologetic antisemite.

We are deeply disappointed by the decision to host a speaker at the University of Michigan with a documented record of antisemitic rhetoric, said Rabbi Davey Rosen, the CEO of Michigan Hillel. Such invitations normalize hate and contribute to a hostile environment for Jewish students.

Piker said he is not antisemitic and describes himself as anti-Zionist.

Hostility toward Israel has risen across the political spectrum and became a fault line within the Democratic Party during the war in Gaza.

Criticism has centered on Piker past remarks. After the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Piker argued that whether reports of sexual violence are accurate does not change the dynamic of the conflict. He has repeatedly said the core issue is Israels conduct in Gaza.

Piker has drawn backlash for a comment in which he said America deserved 9/11, made during a 2019 livestream while discussing U.S. foreign policy. Piker has said the remark was poorly worded and added in the AP interview that he did not mean that Americans deserved to die.

The Michigan Senate race has drawn national attention as Democrats seek to regain power in the midterm elections and win back the White House. The three-way primary pits El-Sayed against Stevens and McMorrow, each with different approaches to the challenging political landscape.

I think Americans understand that this is totally ridiculous, Piker said regarding criticism he faces.

El-Sayed defended his campaign appearances with controversial left-wing commentator Hasan Piker at an event in East Lansing, saying he wants to reach voters who do not watch traditional news outlets.

The Michigan Senate primary could reshape the state legislature as the winner faces a formidable Republican opponent in November.