Springsteen backs El-Sayed: ‘He’s a fighter for our American Constitution’

Bruce Springsteen endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for Michigan’s US Senate seat, on 2 November, the day before the election. In a statement published on his website and social media, the musician called El-Sayed a fighter for the US Constitution and democracy. Springsteen also criticised the leadership in the White House and said he was in El-Sayed’s corner ‘100%’. His endorsement was an expression of political support; its effect on voters was unknown.

The endorsement came amid an unusual split in the closely contested race for the seat being vacated by Democrat Gary Peters. El-Sayed was facing Republican former congressman Mike Rogers, whom President Donald Trump backed. A day earlier, Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens, who had narrowly lost to El-Sayed in the August primary, endorsed Rogers after a planned joint campaign appearance with El-Sayed fell apart. Stevens said she no longer felt welcome in his campaign. El-Sayed dismissed the dispute and said he was focused on voters’ concerns, including the cost of living.