Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed says leaders must address ‘unpaid debts’ to Black communities
Abdul El‑Sayed Highlights “Unpaid Debts” to Black Communities at Detroit Faith‑Based Forum
Detroit – Democratic nominee Abdul El‑Sayed, the former Wayne County health director and 2018 gubernatorial candidate, used a weekend gathering of women faith leaders to emphasize the need for the United States to confront its long‑standing “unpaid debts” to Black Americans. The remarks, recorded by C‑SPAN, came ahead of the November 2024 election in which El‑Sayed faces Republican challenger Mike Rogers in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races.
The event, held Saturday in Detroit and organized by the Woman Difference Collaborative, was part of a broader strategy to engage voters who had not supported him in the Democratic primary. “When it comes to black communities in Michigan—and in America—there are unpaid debts that have long since come due that we are unwilling to acknowledge, let alone pay down,” El‑Sayed told the audience. “I understand that we need leaders who are going to understand those debts and address them.”
He framed the speech around the idea that leaders must recognize the historical and systemic injustices that have left many Black communities behind. While El‑Sayed did not name specific policies, he referenced his work on infant and maternal mortality, asthma, and lead exposure—all public‑health priorities he has championed as a state legislator and health official.
When questioned about how he plans to mobilize Democratic voters who did not back him in the primary, El‑Sayed said he will continue to “keep showing up, engaging with voters” and point to his record. He added, “But the question for me is, within my power have I done my best?” The senator‑candidate urged listeners to review his history and judge whether he has addressed the issues he cares about.
The forum also touched on El‑Sayed’s stance on a number of national topics. He reaffirmed his support for U.S. aid to Israel, noted his endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, and referenced ongoing criminal‑justice debates. He acknowledged that his campaign has faced attack ads from Rogers and addressed questions about his ties to former U.S. Representative Hasan Piker.
In addition to public‑health achievements, El‑Sayed highlighted proposals to expand access to capital for small businesses and to increase investment in housing and schools—areas he believes can lift communities economically and socially.
El‑Sayed’s bid for the Senate is the first time the former governor‑candidate has run for federal office. He has been a prominent figure in Michigan politics for more than two decades, serving as Wayne County health director and running for governor in 2018. His Senate campaign is backed by a progressive platform that, according to some commentators, may challenge traditional Muslim voting patterns in the state, though his broad appeal has drawn support from across demographic lines.
Campaign officials for El‑Sayed were not immediately available for comment when the story was broken.
The Senate race pits El‑Sayed against Rogers, a former U.S. Representative who has been in the news for his conservative positions on health policy and gun rights. With both candidates campaigning hard in Michigan’s diverse electorate, the outcome of the November vote remains uncertain.
El‑Sayed’s remarks in Detroit underscored his message that the United States must acknowledge and work to repay historical injustices. Whether this approach will resonate with the broader electorate remains to be seen, but it signals that El‑Sayed is positioning himself not only as a public‑health advocate but also as a champion for systemic change.