Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed criticized for remarks about Usha Vance
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Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced backlash after a social-media post referencing Second Lady Usha Vance, prompting accusations of sexism and racism from political opponents.
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed drew criticism on Saturday after posting a comment on social media that referenced Second Lady Usha Vance in a response to remarks made by Republican Senate candidate JD Vance. Vance had earlier attacked El-Sayed for comments about Sharia law, and El-Sayed’s post alluded to Vance’s wife’s Indian heritage.
The post prompted reactions from several Republican officials and commentators who described the remarks as sexist and racist. Former Florida state representative Ben Graber said, "El Sayed is now attacking wives of US leaders? What a guy." Rep. Brandon Gill questioned El-Sayed’s assumptions about Midwestern voters, and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon warned, "Imagine how he would treat female staffers in the halls of Congress."
El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. A Democratic-aligned X account supporting his opponent Mike Rogers called the comments "deeply sexist" and urged voters to reject El-Sayed. Fox News reported that the vice president’s office and a representative for Usha Vance had not responded to inquiries.