Schumer ducks question on campaigning with socialist candidate who refuses to back him as leader

The Senate’s top Democrat hasn’t said whether he’ll stump on the campaign trail for Abdul El-Sayed but argues that El-Sayed brings fresh juice to the Democratic Party in its quest to flip the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is confident that Democrats can retake the Senate from Republican control, but the path to do so runs right through the Wolverine State, where El-Sayed bluntly said he wouldn’t back the top Democrat to lead the caucus if he’s elected.

But whether Schumer makes an appearance in Michigan between now and November remains up in the air.

When asked whether he would campaign with El-Sayed during a news conference highlighting the recent race rating shifts in Texas and Iowa, the top Senate Democrat bulldozed over the question.

SENATE MAP TIGHTENS AS TOP FORECASTER MOVES 3 RACES TOWARD DEMOCRATS "I have one mission: Win the Senate.

We are on the path to doing it.

Look, the bottom line is that we will win Michigan," Schumer said.

"El-Sayed has brought in new energy and new talent into the Democratic Party.

But also in Michigan itself." When asked about progressive upstarts gaining footing and winning in primaries across the country, like in Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan, Schumer countered that the Democratic Party is a "big tent party." "Not everyone has the same exact view on every single issue," Schumer said.

"But if you look at the overall issues, the costs that people pay, the chaos in the Trump administration, you see it daily.

And the corruption." BOMB-THROWER DEM MAKES SHOCKING PROMISE TO KICK SCHUMER TO CURB DURING SENATE DEBATE Still, El-Sayed isn’t on board the Schumer train.

He’s said he would support Sen.

Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., to be Democratic leader and has bucked the Democratic establishment throughout his campaign.

The pair have talked since El-Sayed's victory earlier this month about shifting the focus to going after President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported.