Dem divide deepens as Warren breaks from Schumer in must-win Senate race

WASHINGTON, DC: The rift between the progressive and old guard of the Democratic Party, which publicly surfaced after recent progressive wins in New York, appears to be intensifying over the endorsement of a must-win Senate race.

The current battle between the new generation of Democrats, which is drifting towards left-wing ideologies, and the old guard of the party is expected to shape the party's future as two top Dem leaders are taking different paths in their bids for the Michigan Senate nomination.  

Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer split over Michigan Senate race

While Sen Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in the duel for the Democratic Senate nomination in Michigan, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for Rep Haley Stevens, D-Mich.

The competing endorsements from two of the Democratic Party's top leaders underscore the behind-the-scenes infighting as the party's progressive wing challenges its traditional leadership.

Schumer is reportedly facing a civil war in the party as he is desperately trying to take down the socialist candidates being pushed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Bernie Sanders.

Warren's decision to join AOC and Bernie Sanders in backing Abdul El-Sayed has intensified the rift within the group.

Elizabeth Warren praises El-Sayed's grassroots campaign

In her endorsement video for El-Sayed on Monday, Warren noted that he was "the only candidate in this race not taking corporate money, and he's fighting to get money out of politics altogether."

"And make no mistake," Warren said. "Abdul is the only candidate in this race who can build the grassroots movement needed to win in November. More money in your pocket, to get money out of politics and deliver ‘Medicare-for-all.’ Michigan, let's get this done."

Warren and Schumer also clashed over Maine Senate nomination

Earlier, senior leaders came face to face over the Maine nomination, where Warren backed Democratic nominee Graham Platner, while Schumer had courted and pushed Maine Gov. Janet Mills to get into the race.

Warren had previously endorsed Michigan state Sen Mallory McMorrow, who dropped out of the race earlier this month. McMorrow was against "Medicare-for-all," a key policy push of Warren’s.

Like Platner, El-Sayed has also ignited controversy and made headlines for his old social media posts — particularly his pitch to "defund the police" as a means to reinvest tax dollars to prevent the purchase of "war materiel to wage war in our streets.”

Schumer took his time to go public with his endorsement in what was once a messy, three-way primary battle, first privately backing Stevens.

"I think she has the best chance to win," Schumer told Punchbowl News last month.