Abdul El-Sayed’s Republican opponent directly pitches Democrats, hoping to capitalize after divisive primary | CNN Politics

Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for Senate in Michigan, is stepping up his efforts to appeal to Democrats after their party picked progressive Abdul El-Sayed as their standard-bearer in the battleground race. In a new video first shared with CNN, Rogers speaks directly to camera to make his case to Democrats disappointed with the outcome of their Tuesday primary. El-Sayed, a former public health official, defeated Rep. Haley Stevens by 1 percentage point after a contentious primary that left hard feelings among supporters of both candidates. “If you’re among the majority of Democratic voters who woke up on Wednesday feeling, well, hopeless because the person who won does not represent your values, well, just know, there is still hope,” Rogers says. “Michigan deserves a senator who is ready to sit with you, hear from you and represent you.” Democratic leaders from Washington to Michigan have quickly rallied behind El-Sayed, though Republicans are hoping to emphasize on lingering divisions from the bruising primary. Stevens has already endorsed El-Sayed, and the two hugged at a unity event Thursday. Both have also criticized Rogers and have emphasized stressed the impor