The Trump administration has disrupted the funding pipeline universities have relied on for research, at times directly targeting select schools.

Sayed, a progressive former public health official, is joining the Democratic race to succeed Senator Gary Peters, who is retiring.

Sayed, a progressive Democrat, launched his campaign to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). El-Sayed announced his Senate bid Thursday, taking a populist-style approach to appeal to workers and promising to further progressive goals such as universal healthcare and “fighting” the Trump administration.