Bernie Sanders

Sanders cited “large rallies” at recent el Sayed and Flanagan campaign events and polling as evidence that voters want “real change.” El Sayed will face off against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who was recently endorsed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), on Aug. 4 in a race that pits a socialist newcomer against the more established Stevens.

Emanuel, a more centrist Democrat, wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday warning that “The ‘Bernie Bros’ Could Spoil Democrats’ Midterms.” In it, he argues “Republicans will make even moderate opponents answer for the radical views of DSA candidates,” and says the recent success of socialist candidates in deep-blue districts puts swing-state Democrats “at a distinct disadvantage.”

“For months the Democratic Party’s generic advantage widened while the nation focused on Mr. Trump and the Republican Congress,” Emanuel wrote. “Our lead has narrowed amid recent attention to DSA-led primaries. In November, a continued focus on defunding, decriminalizing, and decolonizing will highlight cultural issues that alienate many Democrats, not to mention large swaths of independents (who make up a record-high 45% of the electorate) and disenchanted Republicans.”

SANDERS STANDS BY PLATNER ENDORSEMENT, GIVES TROY JACKSON ‘EXCELLENT’ CHANCE

When asked about the criticism on Sunday, Sanders said Emanuel is “dependent on billionaire campaign contributors who want to maintain the status quo.”

“There is no debate; there is a strong division within the Democratic Party,” Sanders said. “[Then] you have a progressive movement, which, by the way, what is getting these guys nervous is we are winning all over this country, it’s suddenly Mamdani in New York City, it’s in New Jersey, it’s in Ohio, in Colorado. People are sick and tired of the Rahm Emanuels and the Democratic establishment and the Republican establishment.”