Abdul El-Sayed

On February 2, 2026, El-Sayed gave expert testimony in a Wayne County trial about cancer and accident risks associated with proposed radioactive-waste shipments.

February 2, 2026For

Source: planetdetroit.org · researched July 10, 2026

On May 8, 2024, Wayne County launched 100 operational air-quality monitors across all 43 county communities under El-Sayed's health department to identify pollution hotspots and inform enforcement decisions.

May 8, 2024For

Source: michiganpublic.org · researched July 10, 2026

On August 25, 2023, Wayne County Health Officer Abdul El-Sayed co-issued a public-health advisory after flooding caused partially treated wastewater to enter the Lower River Rouge.

August 25, 2023For

Source: utility.waynecountymi.gov · researched July 10, 2026

Signed a Wayne County public-health emergency order for the juvenile detention facility and was assigned to lead the incident command center addressing overcrowding, unsafe conditions, and treatment delays.

March 22, 2023For

Source: bridgedetroit.com · researched July 25, 2026

Endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, citing Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free college, and opposition to corporate money in politics.

November 21, 2019For

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched July 25, 2026

On April 26, 2019, El-Sayed published an argument supporting the Green New Deal as both climate policy and public-health policy.

April 26, 2019For

Source: theguardian.com · researched July 10, 2026

Led the Detroit Health Department when it received more than $1 million in grants for early-childhood services, asthma care, environmental health, and teen-pregnancy prevention.

January 19, 2017For

Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 25, 2026

Governor Rick Snyder appointed El-Sayed to Michigan's Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board on June 10, 2016 while El-Sayed led a Detroit task force screening children and water for elevated lead.

June 10, 2016For

Source: michigan.gov · researched July 10, 2026

By May 3, 2016, El-Sayed's Detroit Health Department had restarted child lead screenings and secured a $135,000 grant to help test school water for lead.

May 3, 2016For

Source: statnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

On January 6, 2016, Detroit Health Director Abdul El-Sayed represented the city at a public hearing and opposed Marathon Petroleum's request to increase sulfur-dioxide emissions.

January 6, 2016For

Source: cbsnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

In June 2026, El-Sayed joined striking UAW Local 2093 members on the American Axle picket line in Three Rivers and publicly backed their wage and contract demands.

June 8, 2026For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

As a Wayne County public health official, Abdul El-Sayed said the county set aside $7 million to erase $700 million of medical debt for 300,000 people.

May 14, 2026For

Source: manisteenews.com · researched July 6, 2026

On August 6, 2025, El-Sayed's campaign reported raising more than $3,600 for a northern Michigan fundraiser that had canceled over $2 million in medical debt for more than 1,300 families.

August 6, 2025For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed testified before the U.S. Senate HELP Committee on July 11, 2024 about Wayne County's medical-debt program and the national effects of healthcare debt.

July 11, 2024For

Source: help.senate.gov · researched July 10, 2026

On November 13, 2025, El-Sayed endorsed the MOP Up Michigan anti-dark-money initiative and the Invest in MI Kids school-funding initiative, which proposed a surcharge on high incomes.

November 13, 2025For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

Endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, citing Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free college, and opposition to corporate money in politics.

November 21, 2019For

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched July 25, 2026

El-Sayed launched Southpaw Michigan on September 24, 2018 to support progressive candidates and causes, and the group backed ballot measures on independent redistricting, voting access, and marijuana legalization.

September 24, 2018For

Source: cbsnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

A February 17, 2017 University of Michigan record reported that Detroit's Health Department more than doubled in size and city support for public health increased five-fold during El-Sayed's first year leading it.

February 17, 2017For

Source: sph.umich.edu · researched July 10, 2026

As Detroit health director, Abdul El-Sayed worked on a program that provided 50,000 pairs of glasses to children by placing optometrists in vans outside schools.

May 14, 2026For

Source: manisteenews.com · researched July 6, 2026

As a Detroit and Wayne County public health official, Abdul El-Sayed described making free Narcan available through 100 vending machines across the county.

May 14, 2026For

Source: manisteenews.com · researched July 6, 2026

As a Wayne County public health official, Abdul El-Sayed said the county set aside $7 million to erase $700 million of medical debt for 300,000 people.

May 14, 2026For

Source: manisteenews.com · researched July 6, 2026

On February 2, 2026, El-Sayed gave expert testimony in a Wayne County trial about cancer and accident risks associated with proposed radioactive-waste shipments.

February 2, 2026For

Source: planetdetroit.org · researched July 10, 2026

On August 6, 2025, El-Sayed's campaign reported raising more than $3,600 for a northern Michigan fundraiser that had canceled over $2 million in medical debt for more than 1,300 families.

August 6, 2025For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed testified before the U.S. Senate HELP Committee on July 11, 2024 about Wayne County's medical-debt program and the national effects of healthcare debt.

July 11, 2024For

Source: help.senate.gov · researched July 10, 2026

On May 8, 2024, Wayne County launched 100 operational air-quality monitors across all 43 county communities under El-Sayed's health department to identify pollution hotspots and inform enforcement decisions.

May 8, 2024For

Source: michiganpublic.org · researched July 10, 2026

On August 25, 2023, Wayne County Health Officer Abdul El-Sayed co-issued a public-health advisory after flooding caused partially treated wastewater to enter the Lower River Rouge.

August 25, 2023For

Source: utility.waynecountymi.gov · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed testified at the U.S. Senate Budget Committee's May 12, 2022 hearing supporting Medicare for All.

May 12, 2022For

Source: budget.senate.gov · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed served on the Biden-Sanders health unity task force that submitted recommendations on July 8, 2020 to expand healthcare access, address health inequities, and protect reproductive rights.

July 8, 2020For

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched July 10, 2026

Endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, citing Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free college, and opposition to corporate money in politics.

November 21, 2019For

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched July 25, 2026

A February 17, 2017 University of Michigan record reported that Detroit's Health Department more than doubled in size and city support for public health increased five-fold during El-Sayed's first year leading it.

February 17, 2017For

Source: sph.umich.edu · researched July 10, 2026

Governor Rick Snyder appointed El-Sayed to Michigan's Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board on June 10, 2016 while El-Sayed led a Detroit task force screening children and water for elevated lead.

June 10, 2016For

Source: michigan.gov · researched July 10, 2026

By May 3, 2016, El-Sayed's Detroit Health Department had restarted child lead screenings and secured a $135,000 grant to help test school water for lead.

May 3, 2016For

Source: statnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

Issued a statement opposing expanded ICE detention operations in Michigan and calling for the agency's abolition.

February 18, 2026For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 25, 2026

In January 2026, student chapters organized by El-Sayed's campaign coordinated anti-ICE demonstrations across Michigan campuses, and El-Sayed publicly supported their demand for accountability and an end to federal violence.

January 31, 2026For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

As Detroit health director, Abdul El-Sayed worked on a program that provided 50,000 pairs of glasses to children by placing optometrists in vans outside schools.

May 14, 2026For

Source: manisteenews.com · researched July 6, 2026

As a Detroit and Wayne County public health official, Abdul El-Sayed described making free Narcan available through 100 vending machines across the county.

May 14, 2026For

Source: manisteenews.com · researched July 6, 2026

On November 13, 2025, El-Sayed endorsed the MOP Up Michigan anti-dark-money initiative and the Invest in MI Kids school-funding initiative, which proposed a surcharge on high incomes.

November 13, 2025For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

On August 6, 2025, El-Sayed's campaign reported raising more than $3,600 for a northern Michigan fundraiser that had canceled over $2 million in medical debt for more than 1,300 families.

August 6, 2025For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

Signed a Wayne County public-health emergency order for the juvenile detention facility and was assigned to lead the incident command center addressing overcrowding, unsafe conditions, and treatment delays.

March 22, 2023For

Source: bridgedetroit.com · researched July 25, 2026

Led the Detroit Health Department when it received more than $1 million in grants for early-childhood services, asthma care, environmental health, and teen-pregnancy prevention.

January 19, 2017For

Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 25, 2026

By May 3, 2016, El-Sayed's Detroit Health Department had restarted child lead screenings and secured a $135,000 grant to help test school water for lead.

May 3, 2016For

Source: statnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed served on the Biden-Sanders health unity task force that submitted recommendations on July 8, 2020 to expand healthcare access, address health inequities, and protect reproductive rights.

July 8, 2020For

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched July 10, 2026

Led the Detroit Health Department when it received more than $1 million in grants for early-childhood services, asthma care, environmental health, and teen-pregnancy prevention.

January 19, 2017For

Source: detroitmi.gov · researched July 25, 2026

On November 13, 2025, El-Sayed endorsed the MOP Up Michigan anti-dark-money initiative and the Invest in MI Kids school-funding initiative, which proposed a surcharge on high incomes.

November 13, 2025Against

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

In January 2026, student chapters organized by El-Sayed's campaign coordinated anti-ICE demonstrations across Michigan campuses, and El-Sayed publicly supported their demand for accountability and an end to federal violence.

January 31, 2026For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed served on the Biden-Sanders health unity task force that submitted recommendations on July 8, 2020 to expand healthcare access, address health inequities, and protect reproductive rights.

July 8, 2020For

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed launched Southpaw Michigan on September 24, 2018 to support progressive candidates and causes, and the group backed ballot measures on independent redistricting, voting access, and marijuana legalization.

September 24, 2018For

Source: cbsnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

In June 2026, El-Sayed joined striking UAW Local 2093 members on the American Axle picket line in Three Rivers and publicly backed their wage and contract demands.

June 8, 2026For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

On November 13, 2025, El-Sayed endorsed the MOP Up Michigan anti-dark-money initiative and the Invest in MI Kids school-funding initiative, which proposed a surcharge on high incomes.

November 13, 2025For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

El-Sayed testified before the U.S. Senate HELP Committee on July 11, 2024 about Wayne County's medical-debt program and the national effects of healthcare debt.

July 11, 2024For

Source: help.senate.gov · researched July 10, 2026

On May 8, 2024, Wayne County launched 100 operational air-quality monitors across all 43 county communities under El-Sayed's health department to identify pollution hotspots and inform enforcement decisions.

May 8, 2024For

Source: michiganpublic.org · researched July 10, 2026

On January 6, 2016, Detroit Health Director Abdul El-Sayed represented the city at a public hearing and opposed Marathon Petroleum's request to increase sulfur-dioxide emissions.

January 6, 2016For

Source: cbsnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

On March 1, 2026, El-Sayed issued a public statement opposing U.S. military strikes in Iran and calling for the military action to end.

March 1, 2026For

Source: abdulforsenate.com · researched July 10, 2026

Senator Chris Van Hollen endorsed El-Sayed on June 25, 2026; Associated Press also documented prior endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and the United Auto Workers.

June 25, 2026

Source: apnews.com · researched July 10, 2026

Was approved by the Wayne County Commission as Local Health Officer, effective March 1, after the commission had approved him as Health, Human and Veterans Services director.

April 11, 2023

Source: waynecountymi.gov · researched July 25, 2026

Abdul El-Sayed began serving as Detroit's executive director of public health on August 25, 2015, with responsibility for rebuilding the city's health department.

August 25, 2015

Source: publichealth.columbia.edu · researched July 10, 2026

On June 26, 2026, Bridge Michigan found that El-Sayed had overstated completed Wayne County medical-debt relief: the county reported $57.4 million erased compared with the program's potential $700 million goal.

June 26, 2026

Source: bridgemi.com · researched July 10, 2026

Michigan's official resolved-complaints index records an August 3, 2018 campaign-finance complaint against Abdul El-Sayed for Michigan and says the state found no reason to believe a violation occurred.

August 3, 2018

Source: michigan.gov · researched July 10, 2026

On May 9, 2018, Michigan election officials confirmed El-Sayed was eligible to run for governor because the state's voter file showed continuous Michigan registration since 2003.

May 9, 2018

Source: michiganpublic.org · researched July 10, 2026