Bernie Sanders visited Kalamazoo, Michigan, as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, where he endorsed Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and addressed several political issues. Speaking to a packed crowd at the Miller Auditorium, Sanders emphasized the rising wealth inequality in the U.S. and criticized Congress for being “corporately owned.” He highlighted campaign finance laws, the stagnant federal minimum wage of $7.25, and poor life expectancy statistics for the working class. Sanders expressed concerns about the influence of wealth on politics, citing Elon Musk and campaign spending, and called for a minimum wage increase to $17.
El-Sayed echoed Sanders’ sentiments, criticizing the recent “Big Beautiful Bill” for undermining Medicare and leading chants for campaign finance reform and universal healthcare. Sanders also voiced worries about artificial intelligence and advocated for a more cohesive community in America. In response, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers criticized Sanders, accusing Democrats of preferring tax increases over improving paychecks for families. After the rally, Sanders planned to continue his tour in Chicago.
