Democrats say Sanders needs to step up in midterm fight. His allies say he’s doing more than most.

Democratic leaders are privately worried that Senator Bernie Sanders and other left-wing groups are not putting enough money behind the candidates they chose in primaries, especially in Michigan, according to nearly a dozen people familiar with internal discussions. The Senate Democrats' campaign arm has asked Sanders to give more there, where Republican-aligned outside groups are airing attack ads against Abdul El-Sayed. Some House candidates he endorsed have made similar requests, according to CNN.

Sanders has stepped up in the closing weeks. He is sending hundreds of thousands of dollars from his roughly $23 million campaign fund to Senate and attorney general candidates in Minnesota and Florida, his biggest direct gifts yet. He is also raising money by email for three House candidates and campaigning for Randy Villegas, who is challenging Republican Rep. David Valadao. Allies say he has raised $2.8 million for endorsed candidates, including $500,000 for El-Sayed, but that he does not pay for television ads.

Critics note he is not spending in Michigan and left out House candidate Will Lawrence from his email. An FEC analysis shows progressives have spent just $384,000 in the general election, compared with nearly $2.5 million on primary airwaves.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →