Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and his wife collectively earned $686,069 in 2025, placing them in the state’s top 1% of earners, according to recently released tax returns. The threshold for the top 1% in Michigan is $611,500, per IRS data analyzed by Axios.
El-Sayed, a socialist-backed Democrat, has been vocal about wealth inequality, criticizing billionaires and advocating for wealth taxes. At an August 2025 campaign event, he argued that the ultra-wealthy accumulate so much money that their "money makes money," suggesting a wealth tax could redistribute funds for public use.
The tax returns also revealed $262,299 in capital gains and ownership of two rental properties worth $750,000, which El-Sayed has previously criticized as examples of "greedy landlords." Despite his rhetoric against extreme wealth, he has clarified that he does not oppose individuals earning millions but opposes billionaires.
El-Sayed’s supporters, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have endorsed his campaign, though Sanders has separately criticized the top 1%—a group El-Sayed now belongs to. The candidate has also faced scrutiny over past remarks, including questioning police use of guns and an anecdote about smashing a vodka bottle after criticism of his beard.