Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed launches Habibi PAC days after securing seat in Senate
Thanedar pointed out that El-Sayed's use of a PAC is notable given his stance against accepting certain PAC money during his Senate campaign.
Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed launched Habibi PAC, a new political action committee, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings.
PACs are tax-exempt organizations that pool members' campaign contributions and donate them to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.
"Habibi" is an Arabic term meaning "my love," a phrase El-Sayed has previously used to address Vice President JD Vance in his victory speech last week.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said. “There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.”
Since Habibi PAC was launched less than a week ago, the FEC has no available data on the PAC's donors or how the money is being spent, Michigan Public reported on Tuesday, citing Michigan Campaign Finance Network (MCFN) Executive Director Neil Thanedar.
According to Michigan Public, Thanedar said El-Sayed's creation of a PAC is interesting given his stance against accepting certain PAC money during his campaign leading up to the elections.
"It will be interesting to see who the donors are for this PAC and where the money goes, because Abdul El-Sayed has talked numerous times about not wanting to accept corporate PAC money and other special interest funding," Thanedar said.
El-Sayed's anti-Israel stance
El-Sayed has also stirred controversy throughout his campaign due to his stance on Israel, having accused the Jewish state of genocide over the war against Hamas in Gaza.
He reiterated his accusation during an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes last week, further arguing that the United States continues to declare its support for a two-state solution while its actions help prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, specifically in the form of military assistance to parties working against its formation.
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