Early in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary, Erin Mallen sent $10 to State Senator Mallory McMorrow. Lagging in the polls, McMorrow dropped out in June, leaving Mallen to choose between the progressive Abdul El-Sayed and establishment Haley Stevens. A pollster with links to the political establishment put El-Sayed behind by nine in a hypothetical match-up with Rogers. Van Aken said they explain that El-Sayed is not an immigrant, and the sexism allegations are a smear campaign. “I thought ‘Wow — I really wasn’t expecting that because he was hardcore Haley Stevens,’” Van Aken added.