Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed is launching a state-based political action committee to boost liberal candidates and causes in the fall midterm elections and beyond.
El-Sayed, who finished second to Gretchen Whitmer in a three-way Democratic primary last month, announced Southpaw Michigan on Monday.
He says his group will be different, with a focus on "people, not money."
The former Detroit health director says the PAC will aim to harness grassroots energy to organize volunteers and give financial support to down-ballot candidates and progressive causes.
El-Sayed also is helping the liberal group NextGen America register young people to vote.