Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing criticism after a resurfaced video from his 2018 gubernatorial campaign showed him disparaging Mackinac Island, a historic Michigan destination that has banned motor vehicles since the 1890s. The island also serves as the governor's official summer residence, a fact El-Sayed joked about in the clip.
The controversy emerged as El-Sayed campaigns against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative, in one of the most competitive Senate races of the 2026 cycle.
What the Right Is Saying
Mike Rogers responded to El-Sayed's comments by sharing personal photos of himself enjoying time on Mackinac Island, writing: 'There's no place like Mackinac.' The Republican nominee also released a campaign video targeting Democratic voters who may be disillusioned with their party's nominee.
'If you are among the majority of Democratic voters who woke up on Wednesday feeling well — hopeless — because the person who won does not represent your values then just know there is still hope,' Rogers said in the video.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, endorsed El-Sayed on Wednesday despite the controversy. 'Democrats are united by a common purpose: putting a check on Donald Trump by defeating his Republican enablers and taking back the Senate,' they said in a joint statement.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed El-Sayed on Friday. 'Abdul knows that we need bold solutions to the crises facing America's working families, and he is ready to take on this fight,' Harris said. 'I proudly stand with him to ensure we win a Democratic Senate majority in November.'
When asked about El-Sayed's association with Hasan Piker given Piker's controversial 9/11 remarks, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) expressed discomfort but defended continued engagement. 'I think that's a dumb statement,' Sanders said of the 9/11 comment during a CNN appearance Tuesday night. However, he added, 'He has a whole lot of followers and there's a lot of things that he's saying that make sense to a lot of people.'
What the Numbers Show
Mackinac Island has banned motor vehicles since 1898, making it one of the longest-running car-free communities in the United States. The island has served as Michigan's official summer residence for governors since 1945. El-Sayed's gubernatorial campaign was unsuccessful, and he lost that race by a significant margin.
The 2026 Michigan Senate race is considered competitive, with both major parties investing heavily in the contest. Michigan is one of several states where control of the Senate could be determined.
The Bottom Line
El-Sayed has not walked back his remarks about Mackinac Island despite criticism from his Republican opponent. His campaign continues to highlight progressive policies while navigating controversy over political associations. National Democrats have rallied behind him, betting that opposition to Trump and unified party support will carry him through November. Rogers' campaign has made the Mackinac Island comments a central line of attack in the race.