Could a San Francisco progressive like Abdul El-Sayed knock out moderate Dems?

Abdul El-Sayed just delivered for progressives in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. El-Sayed, a former public health official, ran his campaign on an unabashed pro-Palestinian platform, even going as far as to say Israel shouldn’t exist as a purely Jewish state (opens in new tab). 

The eyes of progressives across the country are on El-Sayed as he’s set to face off with Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s general election, as his win may prove that left-wing politicians — and not moderate centrists — may be the right candidates to lead against Republicans, at least in some districts.

El-Sayed’s victory is not the only sign that the Democratic Party’s left flank may be regaining some momentum. In New York, progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a national power broker after helping elect a slate of left-wing congressional candidates. In Washington, D.C., democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic primary for mayor, effectively securing the job in the heavily Democratic city. And in Seattle, democratic socialist Katie Wilson took office as mayor earlier this year. 

Here in San Francisco, progressives aplenty dot November’s ballot, so at Power Play we thought we’d break down the likelihood that a similarly far-left candidate could catch fire here, particularly in light of our own nationally important race — the bid to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi in Congress.