Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, notching a Midwest victory for the left

Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s slugfest of a Democratic Senate primary, NBC News projects, clinching the nomination in a close race over Rep. Haley Stevens. This victory marks a significant step for a progressive left in the Midwest during the midterm cycle. El-Sayed overcame a nearly $65 million onslaught of outside money and an establishment that rallied around Stevens. Popular Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Stevens late last month—a move seen as a last-ditch effort to stop El-Sayed. El-Sayed, a former public health official, will face former Rep. Mike Rogers in the November general election, which is expected to be highly competitive and could determine Senate control. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, and Democrats aim to flip four seats in red states while defending battlegrounds like Georgia and Michigan. President Donald Trump’s early endorsement of Rogers helped secure the GOP nomination, as he won Michigan in 2016 and 2024 but lost to Joe Biden in 2020. The National Republican Senatorial Committee produced a digital ad highlighting El-Sayed’s progressive credentials, including an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., barnstormed Michigan for El-Sayed, emphasizing his positions on Medicare for All, opposition to money in politics, and criticism of Stevens for accepting aid from Israel. El-Sayed’s campaign targeted progressive themes, including accusations of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—a stance particularly relevant given Michigan’s large Muslim and Arab American populations. Stevens, a four-term congresswoman, aligned with the Democratic establishment, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Sen. Gary Peters. El-Sayed’s supporters included the United Auto Workers, a major Michigan presence. The closing phase of the primary saw Stevens and her allies spend nearly nine times more on ads than El-Sayed, with some messaging attacking El-Sayed’s progressive stance. El-Sayed’s victory underscores a broader push for left-wing candidates in blue and purple states, testing whether insurgent populist movements can gain traction in traditionally moderate regions. El-Sayed’s rhetoric included calls to challenge progressive leaders like Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., while Stevens focused on her working-class appeal, referencing her Upper Midwest accent and appearance. The primary’s outcome reflects broader Democratic efforts to shift the party leftward amid competitive Senate races.