The powerful United Auto Workers Union announced its endorsement of progressive Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s U.S. Senate race on Friday.

The decision could influence a key primary that is currently closely divided between Sayed, State Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow, and Congresswoman Haley Stevens.

The union that represents 400,000 members said that it supported Sayed because he would be a “fighter” that would push a “working-class agenda”.

“UAW members in Michigan want a fighter in Washington, DC who isn’t afraid to push forward a strong working-class agenda with moral clarity,” the union’s member-elected Community Action Program board announced Friday morning. 

The union’s decision to endorse El-Sayed will be seen as a risky move due to his association with far-left media figures such as Hasan Piker and a bevy of recent scandals and miscues, including questions about if he embellished his status as a Physician and openly calling to abolish ICE.

While El-Sayed is polling well in the Democratic primary, current polling shows that he could endanger a Senate seat currently held by Democrats in the general election.

In a statement accepting the UAW’s endorsement, El-Sayed pledged to strengthen collective bargaining and “take on corporate greed”.

“Unlike campaigns powered by corporate PAC money, AIPAC, and Washington insiders, our campaign is built alongside workers and union members. Together, we’re going to take on corporate greed, rebuild an economy that works for working people, strengthen collective bargaining, and ensure that the future of Michigan manufacturing is built right here by union workers.”

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