Statement on MI Democratic Primary Election Results
Our first desire is to thank Abdul El-Sayed for running a groundbreaking race. You inspired us to work hard every day. You have shown us how to reject political cynicism and embrace the politics of the possible. We cannot wait to see how many young and brown Michiganders run for office in coming years — it will be because of you. When America finally does elect its first Muslim governor, your name will be celebrated.
Our Michigan team poured everything into supporting Abdul. We knocked 5,323 doors and made over 55,000 phone calls. We rallied support from other Sunrise groups, from Boston to Orlando and California. Today, election day, our Sunrise Semester fellows woke up at 7:00am to vote, and then talked to voters from 9:00am until the polls closed at 8:00pm.
Together, we set records talking to voters, and energized a base in Michigan that will serve our movement for years.
Moving forward now, we would like to declare our unqualified support of Gretchen Whitmer in the general election. While we disagree with her decision to accept money from corporate utilities, and felt more in line with Abdul on many issues, there is no doubt that Whitmer is the most progressive Democratic gubernatorial nominee in a generation. That she could now be (rightly) cast as somewhat of a moderate is a marker of how much the political landscape has changed in the last four years. We are ready to help her beat Bill Schuette in November.
Thank you to all who helped in any way this election. We are so grateful to have worked with all of you. This is just the beginning.
Together,
Will, Claire, Lauren, Anam, Cormac, Nicholas, Shelby, Cody, Abbie, Arjun, Vanessa, Victoria, Emerson, and the Sunrise Michigan Team
