Why we’re watching: If you’ve watched the news at all over the last week, you’ve likely noticed the uproar over Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, featuring Acton’s estranged mother in a campaign ad. It’s a stomach-turning moment in American politics, to be sure, but the justified outcry around the ad could also build momentum for Acton’s campaign.
Abdul El-Sayed
Photo: Getty Images
Race: Michigan US Senate
Key policies: El-Sayed identifies as a capitalist rather than a socialist, but he’s still on board with progressive policies including Medicare for All, universal access to health care, regulating AI, and taxing billionaire wealth.
Why we’re watching: El-Sayed’s campaign has become something of a lightning rod for debates over Muslim identity in the US, with El-Sayed speaking out against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and rejecting unsubstantiated allegations from his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, that he is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has garnered support from major political figures, including New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, former president Barack Obama, US Senator Bernie Sanders, and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Troy Jackson
Photo: Getty Images
