FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2026
Contact: Hannah Fertig, info@fightingformichigan.net
DETROIT — A broad coalition of progressive operatives, advocacy organizations, labor unions, and veterans groups today launched a multi-million-dollar independent expenditure campaign to help Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. The effort, announced as undecided voters in Michigan tune in to the race ahead of the August 4th Democratic primary contest, will invest millions of dollars across direct mail, digital advertising, and grassroots organizing to reach Democratic primary voters in the weeks before ballots arrive.
Fighting for Michigan PAC brings together National Nurses United, Common Defense Action Fund, The Working Families Party, American Priorities, Forward Blue, Unity and Justice Fund, Defend and Advance, Medicare for All PAC, and others with the effort spearheaded by veteran political operatives Connor Farrell and Hannah Fertig. The effort is conducted entirely independently of Abdul El-Sayed and his campaign, and today this group released a new public opinion survey showing El-Sayed besting Republican Mike Rogers in a general election matchup.
“Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign isn’t just a historic opportunity for Michiganders; it’s a historic opportunity for people across the country invested in building a more fair and just society for everyone,” said Hannah Fertig. “Fighting for Michigan is what it looks like when veterans, nurses, immigrant-rights advocates, and grassroots organizers decide to come together to build a better future. The national progressive movement is throwing down, and we are not going to waste this chance to elect a generational spokesperson for our values.”
El-Sayed, a physician and the former director of both the Detroit Health Department and the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, built his record making government deliver. He rebuilt Detroit’s health department after it was dismantled during the city’s bankruptcy and canceled medical debt for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. As Wayne County’s health director, he helped lead one of the largest naloxone-distribution efforts in the country to confront the opioid epidemic.
“We know big money groups representing the Israel lobby, corporate interests, and AI billionaires are going to spend heavily against Abdul in the coming days,” said Connor Farrell, progressive strategist and Michigander. “We’re trying to level the playing field and ensure Michiganders hear Abdul’s message of fairness and justice for everyone in the closing days of this race.”
In the Senate race, El-Sayed is the only Democratic candidate who has never taken a dollar of corporate PAC money, the only candidate calling for Medicare for All, and a leading voice against Trump’s war in Iran — arguing that the country should invest in lowering costs for families at home rather than spending billions abroad. He is endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, the United Auto Workers, and the Working Families Party.
“The energy in this race is real, and it is on Abdul’s side. Our job is to make sure every Michigan voter hears why before their ballot arrives,” said Farrell. “We built Fighting for Michigan so the resources finally match the moment — an independent campaign at the scale this race demands.”
“Michigan veterans have been lied to long enough. They were promised care when they came home. They were promised their kids wouldn’t fight the same wars they did. Most of that has been broken faith. Abdul El-Sayed is the kind of leader who actually means it when he talks about taking care of people, and that includes the people who wore the uniform. I deployed to Iraq. I know what war costs. I remember what veterans were promised. Abdul gets it. That is why the Common Defense Action Fund is all in for this race, and why veterans and military families across Michigan are too,” said Naveed Shah, Political Director of Common Defense and an Iraq War veteran.
Ballots will begin reaching Michigan’s permanent absentee voters in late June, with Election Day on August 4.
Fighting for Michigan PAC leads an independent coalition of progressive, labor, and veterans organizations working to elect Dr. Abdul El-Sayed to the U.S. Senate. Its efforts are conducted independently and are not authorized by, coordinated with, or made in concert with Abdul El-Sayed, his campaign, or any candidate or candidate’s committee.
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