El-Sayed Wins Narrow Michigan Democratic Senate Primary
Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated U.S. Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, advancing to a November contest against Republican congressman Mike Rogers. The race will help determine control of the Senate during the two years of President Donald Trump’s term.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, campaigned as an anti-establishment progressive seeking a confrontational approach toward corporate influence and the Trump administration. His platform included Medicare for All, campaign finance reform and ending U.S. military aid to Israel. He received support from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Stevens, a four-term congresswoman, presented herself as a pragmatic candidate with experience winning competitive elections. Her campaign emphasized manufacturing, the economy and her work on the Obama administration’s auto industry rescue. She was supported by Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and retiring Michigan Senator Gary Peters. After conceding, Stevens said she would support El-Sayed in the general election.
The result remained uncertain until all ballots had been counted. When the Associated Press called the race, El-Sayed led by 14,893 votes, less than one percentage point, among more than 1.5 million ballots. His victory marked a reversal from 2018, when he lost Michigan’s gubernatorial primary to Gretchen Whitmer by 21 points.
Outside spending played a major role. Groups supporting Stevens spent more than $50 million, including over $30 million from AIPAC and affiliated organizations. The spending heightened attention on Israel policy, although related advertisements did not directly mention it. Stevens supported the U.S.-Israel relationship, while El-Sayed favored ending military assistance.
The primary exposed divisions within the Democratic Party over ideology, electability, foreign policy and the influence of large donors. Michigan Democratic chair Curtis Hertel called for unity behind El-Sayed. The November election will test whether his progressive coalition can broaden its appeal in a closely divided battleground state.