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Abdul El‑Sayed’s run for the U.S. Senate just hit a predictable snag. A short clip from an old documentary where he said he “hated” Mackinac Island resurfaced, and instead of smoothing it over he doubled down. His reply to Republican candidate Mike Rogers calling Mackinac a playground for “multimillionaires” set off a storm of backlash — and gave his opponents fresh ammo in the Michigan Senate race.
The resurfaced clip and El‑Sayed’s reply
In the video El‑Sayed can be heard saying, “Every time I’ve ever come here, I’ve hated it.” That line circulated again on social media and on conservative outlets. When his rival posted a clean, feel‑good message about Mackinac, El‑Sayed answered on X: “Both of these multimillionaires can afford a weekend on Mackinac Island. How about you and your family?” The tweet read like a volunteer handoff of a campaign gaffe to the opposing side.
Why Mackinac matters in Michigan politics
Mackinac Island is more than a pretty postcard. It draws visitors and tourism dollars, and it’s a place many Michiganders cherish. Attacking it is an odd move for a statewide candidate who needs to win hearts and votes across the state. Whether you love the island or not, the optics here are clear: taking a swipe at a local icon risks alienating ordinary voters who go there on family trips, not just the wealthy.
Money, optics and the “out of touch” charge
What makes this worse for El‑Sayed is his financial disclosure. Reporting shows his household reported high income ranges and lists rental properties, including overseas holdings. In plain English: he’s not a populist living hand‑to‑mouth. Telling people Mackinac is only for millionaires while owning pricey assets and having been to the island before looks, at best, tone‑deaf. At worst, it hands Republicans an easy line: accuse him of grievance politics while being comfortably well‑off.
This is the kind of self‑inflicted wound campaigns dread. Opponents will replay the clip, thread the tweet, and point to filings until the story sticks. Voters don’t like being lectured or divided by a candidate who sounds like he’s counting points instead of listening. Michigan’s Senate contest was already tight; this episode makes it tighter — and gives conservatives a simple, sharp message to run on between now and Election Day.
