Record haul for El-Sayed on the day a fellow Democrat backed his Republican rival: $2.4 million in a day from 65,000 donors
Dr Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, has raised a record amount of money in a single day. The surge came after Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a member of his own party, abruptly endorsed the Republican candidate for the seat, Mike Rogers, on Sunday.
Just two days before the election, El-Sayed's campaign collected $2.4 million in one day. A party spokesperson said it was the largest single-day fundraising haul in the campaign's history.
El-Sayed's campaign spokesperson Cole said in a press release: 'This record grassroots fundraising is proof of the huge enthusiasm Abdul El-Sayed has generated among the people of Michigan. At the same time, it is a clear message rejecting the old style of politics that has held Michigan back for years.'
The campaign said more than 65,000 people donated to El-Sayed's election fund that day. Of them, 29,602 were giving to his campaign for the first time. Each donor gave an average of $36.74.
Stevens' abrupt endorsement of the Republican candidate on Sunday drew sharp criticism from within the Democratic Party itself. After the episode, however, the party's central and national leaders have campaigned even more strongly for Abdul El-Sayed.
