- Early Wednesday, the Michigan Senate Democratic primary had Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official, holding a narrow lead over congresswoman Haley Stevens, with 49.5% to 45.78% and more than 95% of votes counted.
- Stevens said the race was close and urged supporters on: We knew that this was going to be a close race and I am feeling fired up.
- The campaign drew national attention because the general election for the seat will help decide Senate control, and it became a notable proxy battle between the Democratic Partys establishment and progressive wings.
- If victorious, the Bernie Sanders-backed El-Sayed would defeat centrist Representative Haley Stevens and then face Mike Rogers in the race to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters.
- The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican nominee and former representative Mike Rogers in November to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.
Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is projected to win Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, leading Haley Stevens with 49.5% of the vote as of Wednesday morning. The race, characterized as a proxy battle between the Democratic establishment and its progressive wing, remains too close to call.12378
El-Sayed, who previously served as the executive director of the Detroit Health Department, has emphasized healthcare reform, co-authoring *Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide*. He also supports reforms to the Supreme Court and has called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, labeling it a “rogue state.”
“Whatever happens tonight, we have a responsibility to ensure that we unite,” El-Sayed told supporters, emphasizing the need to prevent Republican Mike Rogers from entering the Senate.9
Stevens, currently trailing, has positioned herself as a pragmatic problem-solver, backed by endorsements from prominent Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She stated, “I am feeling fired up, and you should be too,” as both candidates acknowledged the tight race.4
The winner will face Rogers in November to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters, with the outcome potentially influencing Senate control.
“I think people are sick and tired of the establishments on both sides,” El-Sayed remarked, highlighting the frustration driving his campaign.
“The bitter campaign became a proxy battle between the Democratic establishment and progressive wings, with the winner facing Republican Mike Rogers in November to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters. Stevens, backed by Schumer, Whitmer and Peters, was boosted by tens of millions in outside spending from Aipac.”
The Independent
The Guardian
