Michigan Could Elect America's First Muslim-American Governor (HBO)

As a candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for governor in Michigan, is not unlike Bernie Sanders. He's a progressive outsider avoiding corporate PAC money and embracing Medicare for All for the state. But for many voters, he’s defined by one thing: His religion.

El-Sayed, the former director of the Detroit Health Department, is a practicing Muslim, and he would be the first Muslim-American governor in the nation if elected. He’s one of what experts are calling a “wave” of Muslim-American candidates running for office nationwide this year, with as many as 100 candidates launching campaigns.

But El-Sayed has had to deal with religion-focused attacks from one of his GOP opponents — attacks which one of his Democratic opponents has refused to denounce. El-Sayed also told VICE News “very powerful people” in the Michigan Democratic Party told him he’d have trouble winning because of his religion and name.

VICE News spent time in Michigan with El-Sayed to see how the Democrat is responding to the attacks and handling his religion on the campaign trail.

Follow VICE News here:

[VICENews]

There are as many as 100 Muslim-American candidates running for office nationwide this year.

[ethanbun]

i wish they would spend less time on his religion, and more on his policy.

[cwbwoodchip]

I live in Michigan and he’s got my vote and I am not Muslim

[mukamaslove]

I love how hypocritical Christian traditionalists love to spot extremist individuals in other religions, not their

[forreal]

This dude graduated from Oxford with a PhD and Masters degree. He got his Medical degree in an Ivy league University, and became the youngest health director in a Major US City at age 30.
Sophisticated Red pilled Conservatard: "But nah yuuz a Muzzle"
He accomplished more for America than you or your grandkids could ever in their life times.

[nickc]

“I’ve gotta go, I have a... a.. thing...”
Lmfao dude doesn’t seem cut out for politics

[DeadWhiteButterflies]

Wow, that Shri bloke wasn't even trying to speak without saying anything. That's whole other level above non-saying politician speak.

[zairul]

I don't care if someone is muslim or not. And I'm Muslim myself.

I will only give my votes to people who talk about
1. Free Healthcare
2. Immigration
3. Religion discrimination
4. Environment
5. Free education
6. Equal right for every genders
7. Welfare for veterans, and homeless.

[blackoutblue]

Damn, he's awesome. Totally unbought too. Unlike our other politicians. Please elect this guy and not his status-quo Opponent.

[wiidiwii]

Its much more amazing that hes running with out corporate Pac money then that he's Muslim. Policy and corruption should always be the focus.

[c.coleman]

Gosh, if we elect a Muslim governor WE MIGHT NOT HAVE LEAD IN OUR WATER!!!!

[jschultz]

I am voting for him. If you want people to respect your religious beliefs respect his! Other people are focusing on his religion trying to distract. He stands for a fair working wage, state ran single payer healthcare, tuition free community college for families that make less than 150k per year, legalising Marjuana, treating drug addiction as a mental problem not a criminal one, justice reform, LBGTQ rights, anti discrimination laws, child care and universal prekindergarten, and for unions, and other things most families want! His opponents are making it about his religion which says more about how low they are!

[freedomfighter]

Abdul has my vote. He's got great values, is brilliant, coherent, has a great C.V., is persistent and a hard worker and on top of that is a Doctor who is used to caring for people and knows the health care system. We need someone who cares about the people and not their own wallet.

[DreamChaser]

Here come the Kkkonfederate trolls in 3.2.1....

[Aba_Ifeoma]

I live in Michigan, I don't subscribe to any religion and Abdul happily has my vote! #Progressive

[mevirosteck]

So much hate and ignorance down in the comments

[lawrencetchen]

He's a progressive physician - "I went to med school to learn how to heal, but I learned politics was what was making the people sick." - and that's why he's got my vote August 7th.

[prayudhawidyananda]

In Jakarta there’s a christian man tried to be a governor and he was sent to jail.

[jemineye]

Abdul takes NO CORPORATE MONEY! Policy and people over profit... Vote him in Michigan!!!

[JoeJoe-tfsl]

Abdul is an American also he is a very education person the good thing about our country here is that, if he’s not going to be a good candidate we can vote for somebody else,
The law is great, I will vote for him and try a new face also fresh mined,