Abdul El-Sayed secures Elizabeth Warren endorsement in Michigan Senate contest

US SEnator Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, giving the former public health official another high-profile endorsement ahead of the election.

El-Sayed is running against Rep. Haley Stevens to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. He has already secured the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who joined him at a campaign rally in Michigan on Sunday.

The Michigan contest is viewed as one of the Democratic Party's key primary battles, highlighting divisions between the party's progressive and moderate wings.

The seat is also considered important to Democratic hopes of regaining control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.

In a video shared on social media, Warren praised El-Sayed's campaign platform and his pledge not to accept corporate funding.

“Michiganders deserve a senator who will fight for you, not for special interests running millions of dollars in TV ads to buy this seat,” Warren said.

“And make no mistake: Abdul is the only candidate in this race who can build the grassroots movement needed to win in November.”

Stevens has received the endorsement of Gary Peters. The winner of the Democratic primary will face former Republican congressman Mike Rogers in the general election later this year.