Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's campaign has paid a Detroit pastor's nonprofit $75,000 for "political consulting" services, coinciding with the pastor's public endorsements ahead of the August 4 primary. Horace Sheffield III, a radio host and pastor of New Destiny Christian Fellowship, urged listeners to support El-Sayed during a recent interview on FaithTalk 101.5 FM, calling on supporters to make "5 and 10 phone calls" to boost the left-wing Democrat's campaign.
The payments to Ecumenical Ministers Alliance, a nonprofit Sheffield incorporated in 2010, were made in 10 installments of $7,500 between October 2023 and June 2024, according to campaign finance records. Sheffield endorsed El-Sayed in multiple radio appearances and a social media video filmed at the candidate's headquarters, none of which disclosed the financial relationship. This arrangement mirrors past scrutiny over political payments to media figures, including then-Sen. Kamala Harris's $500,000 payment to Al Sharpton's National Action Network before her 2020 MSNBC appearance.
FCC Rules and Equal Airtime Concerns
Sheffield's show airs on Salem Media's FaithTalk 101.5 FM, a Christian radio network that describes itself as a "Christian and conservative media leader." Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules require stations to provide equal airtime to political candidates, raising questions about Sheffield's on-air advocacy for El-Sayed without disclosing payments. In 2024, then-President-elect Donald Trump threatened regulatory action against MSNBC following reports of Harris's payment to Sharpton's group.
Sheffield, president of the Michigan chapter of the National Action Network, has a history of blending political endorsements with financial ties. In 2018, he was suspended from his previous station, WFDF, after endorsing gubernatorial candidate Shri Thanedar without disclosing that Thanedar had paid his nonprofit $75,000 for "consulting." That same year, three other Michigan candidates paid Sheffield's nonprofit $750 each for "endorsement fees." Sheffield later vowed, "I won't be involved in any more campaigns."
Past Promises and Current Controversy
El-Sayed trails Rep. Haley Stevens by 46 points among Black Michigan voters, making Sheffield's endorsement critical. The pastor attacked Stevens as "the person who is running" who "has never been seen" in Detroit, while praising El-Sayed's stances on corporate PAC money and Medicare for All. "Lord, help this man win," Sheffield said during the interview. El-Sayed's campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
Salem Media distanced itself from Sheffield's endorsement, stating he is not an employee but a paid programmer. "We completely reject the endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed made during this paid programming," a spokeswoman said. The company is supporting Rep. Mike Rogers for Senate. Sheffield's nonprofit, registered to his home address, formally endorsed El-Sayed last month.