abdul el-sayed faces scrutiny over payments to detroit pastor for endorsements
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's campaign has paid $75,000 to a nonprofit organization run by influential Detroit pastor Horace Sheffield III, who has enthusiastically endorsed El-Sayed on his radio show. The payments, which were made in 10 installments of $7,500 between October 21 and June 1, were listed as "political consulting" in campaign finance disclosures. However, the arrangement has raised questions about the nature of their relationship and potential violations of campaign finance laws.
Sheffield, who is the pastor of New Destiny Christian Fellowship, has endorsed El-Sayed on his radio show, The Wake-Up Call, at least three times, urging listeners to make phone calls to support the candidate. He has also recorded a social media video at El-Sayed's campaign headquarters, expressing confidence that El-Sayed will defeat his primary opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens. However, Sheffield's endorsements have not disclosed the financial relationship between his nonprofit, Ecumenical Ministers Alliance, and El-Sayed's campaign.
The arrangement is similar to one that got Sheffield suspended from his previous radio station in 2018. At the time, Sheffield had endorsed gubernatorial candidate Shri Thanedar, who had paid tens of thousands of dollars to Sheffield's nonprofit for "consulting" work. The incident raised questions about Sheffield's adherence to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, which require radio stations to provide equal air time to all candidates.
El-Sayed's campaign has listed Sheffield's endorsement on its website, with El-Sayed stating that he is "deeply honored" to have the pastor's support. However, the campaign and Sheffield have not responded to requests for comment on the payments. The incident has also drawn comparisons to a 2024 controversy involving then-president-elect Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, who had paid $500,000 to Al Sharpton's nonprofit, the National Action Network, just before she appeared on Sharpton's MSNBC show.
Sheffield's relationship with El-Sayed has also raised questions about the candidate's authenticity. During a recent interview, Sheffield lavished praise on El-Sayed, echoing the candidate's talking points on corporate PAC money and Medicare for All. El-Sayed has responded to criticism of the arrangement, stating that "you can't buy authenticity." However, the incident has sparked concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential for candidates to buy endorsements.
The incident has also drawn attention to Sheffield's past activities. In 2018, three Michigan political candidates - Kevin Robbins, Tracy Green, and Terra Defoe - each paid Sheffield's nonprofit $750 for "endorsement fees," according to Michigan campaign finance records. It is unclear how much income, if any, Sheffield takes from Ecumenical Ministers Alliance.
Salem Media, the owner of Sheffield's current radio station, FaithTalk 101.5 FM, has distanced itself from the incident. A spokeswoman for the company stated that "we completely reject the endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed made during this paid programming" and that "Pastor Horace Sheffield is not a Salem Media employee and has no affiliation with Salem Media other than purchasing airtime for his independently produced program." The company has also stated that it is supporting Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate and that the views expressed during Sheffield's program do not reflect the views of the company.
The incident has significant implications for El-Sayed's campaign, which is already trailing behind Rep. Haley Stevens in support from black voters. The controversy may also raise questions about the candidate's ability to build trust with voters and his commitment to transparency in his campaign finances. As the primary election approaches, El-Sayed will need to address these concerns and demonstrate his ability to build a strong, authentic campaign.