Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is under fire after a 2020 video clip reemerged, showing him expressing negative feelings about Mackinac Island, a well-known tourist destination in the state. The video gained attention online through a report by The Midwesterner.
In the clip, El-Sayed, during his campaign for governor, remarks, “I hate Mackinac so much,” while walking on the island located in Lake Huron. He humorously references the governor’s summer residence there, stating, “If we win, this is gonna be, like, the summer home.”
Critics quickly voiced their disapproval, with many conservatives on social media calling out El-Sayed for his comments. Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief of The Federalist, expressed disdain on social media. Other conservatives like Clay Travis and Steve Cortes were also vocal in their criticism, underscoring Mackinac’s cherished standing among Michiganders.
El-Sayed’s comments drew diverse reactions. Sarah Gallagher from the National Republican Senatorial Committee and others voiced disapproval, highlighting the island as a quintessential American place. Conversely, Brad LaPlante, a journalist, suggested El-Sayed’s comments were in context to the Mackinac Policy Conference, a gathering of influential figures which El-Sayed criticizes for being inaccessible to many voters.
Mackinac Island is celebrated for its unique charm and historical allure, drawing over a million visitors each summer. It features Victorian homes, historic hotels, and picturesque landscapes. The absence of cars on the island, since the 1890s, is a defining characteristic, and visitors tour the area by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage.
Though El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to requests for comments, El-Sayed replied to the “End Wokeness” post, challenging the notion that a place banning cars could be deemed “the most American place in MI.”