Progressive El-Sayed wins Michigan Democratic Senate primary
The general election is expected to be among the most competitive Senate races in the country and could play a role in determining control of the chamber, where Republicans currently hold a 53-seat majority
Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official, won the Democratic primary for Michigan's US Senate seat on Tuesday, defeating US Representative Haley Stevens in a closely watched race that highlighted divisions within the party and set up a November contest against former Republican Representative Mike Rogers.
The general election is expected to be among the most competitive Senate races in the country and could play a role in determining control of the chamber, where Republicans currently hold a 53-seat majority, says NBC.
El-Sayed's victory came despite a significant fundraising disadvantage. Stevens and groups supporting her outspent El-Sayed's campaign by nearly nine to one on advertising, including more than $30 million from a group affiliated with AIPAC. Stevens also had the backing of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and retiring Senator Gary Peters.
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El-Sayed received support from progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned with him, as well as the United Auto Workers union.
His campaign centred on support for a universal healthcare system, opposition to corporate influence in politics and criticism of Stevens' support for US aid to Israel during the war in Gaza.
During a Detroit debate, El-Sayed criticised the outside spending supporting his opponent, saying: "If you need a $60 million crutch, you probably can't be elected on your own terms."
He also framed the race as a choice over the influence of money in politics, saying: "This is about whether or not you deserve a politics of the people, by the people and for the people, or of the corporations, by the billionaires and for the special interests."
Stevens, during the same debate, addressed social media criticism of her accent and appearance, saying: "These folks are making fun of the way I sound. But yet, I sound like the people who need help, who are talking to me about what they need."
The Democratic primary drew national attention as progressive groups sought to expand their influence in a key battleground state while more establishment-aligned Democrats rallied behind Stevens.
In a leaked donor call during the campaign, El-Sayed said a victory would serve as an "ogre on a pike" for challengers considering campaigns against moderate Democrats such as Senator John Fetterman.
After the race was called, former Democratic candidate and state Senator Mallory McMorrow endorsed El-Sayed for the general election.
"I'm proud to give Abdul my full endorsement and support as we head to November together as a unified party. Take it from me — this was a brutal primary. But whatever differences there were between the candidates in this race, those differences are nothing compared to the contrast in November," McMorrow said in an emailed statement.
El-Sayed will face Rogers in November in a race expected to attract significant national attention and spending as Democrats seek to regain ground in the Senate.
