El-Sayed’s racist swipe at Usha Vance backfires spectacularly

Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing backlash over a social media jab referencing Vice President J.D. Vance’s late grandfather in connection with Second Lady Usha Vance, according to the New York Post.

Republican insiders warn the remark could alienate Michigan’s roughly 130,000 Indian-American voters and women, a demographic with high turnout in the state. GOP figures, including state party co-chair Sunny Reddy, called on El-Sayed to apologize, with the party reportedly preparing to use the comments in a campaign ad.

Vice President Vance is expected to address the swipe when he campaigns in Michigan Monday.

El-Sayed, who leads Republican Mike Rogers by less than a point in polling, is also facing pressure from within his own party over his association with commentator Hasan Piker.