Progressive challenger Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, narrowly defeating Congresswoman Haley Stevens. The victory marks a significant moment for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party but has also amplified concerns among some Democrats about El-Sayed's viability in the general election.
El-Sayed, a 41-year-old doctor and the son of Egyptian immigrants, will face Republican nominee Mike Rogers in November. Rogers, who ran unopposed, has expressed confidence about his prospects against El-Sayed, with audio surfacing of him stating he would be "in good shape" in a general election matchup. Democratic strategists have voiced similar concerns, noting that El-Sayed faces an uphill battle in Michigan, a state President Biden won in 2020, while other Democrats are showing leads in states that former President Trump carried.
"He enters the general election trailing his Republican opponent in the gold standard MI poll, in a state Biden won in 2020 while other Democrats are posting leads over Republicans in states Trump won by double digits," wrote Democratic strategist Adam Jentleson. "I believe Abdul can win because he is so talented. But it is also not irrational to worry."
The primary race was marked by significant outside spending. Super PACs, including AIPAC, poured nearly $62 million into supporting Stevens, creating a roughly nine-to-one spending advantage over El-Sayed. This investment, totaling $32 million from AIPAC's super PAC, represented the group's largest single-race investment in its history and the most spent by any outside organization in a federal Democratic primary this cycle. In total, Democrats spent an estimated $98.2 million on internal party contests, making it the third most expensive Senate primary in American history.
Stevens had garnered endorsements from prominent Democrats, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Representative James Clyburn, and her campaign highlighted efforts to maintain Republican control of the Senate. She also received support from retiring Senator Gary Peters. Early polling had indicated Stevens with a comfortable lead, but recent surveys showed El-Sayed ahead by double digits.
El-Sayed, who previously served as the health director for Detroit and Wayne County, secured his win as votes from Wayne County, which includes Detroit, were tallied late into the night. He addressed supporters in the early hours of Wednesday, acknowledging the tight race and the financial challenges his campaign faced.
While Stevens drew support in both rural areas and heavily African American neighborhoods of Detroit, El-Sayed performed strongly in Muslim communities in Hamtramck and Dearborn. In the final days of the campaign, Stevens criticized El-Sayed's rhetoric, accusing him of blaming Jewish Americans and warning that such language would lead to a loss against Rogers.
El-Sayed enters the general election with endorsements from prominent progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. His platform includes promises to "stand up to greedy landlords and corporate profiteers" and support for "Medicare for All."
The race for Michigan's open Senate seat, created by Senator Gary Peters' retirement, is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. El-Sayed's victory continues a trend of progressive candidates winning primaries, following similar successes in other states in June.
El-Sayed has indicated that a general election victory in Michigan could provide him with leverage in the 2028 presidential primary. The Democratic National Committee recently awarded Michigan one of six early-window slots for the 2028 presidential nominating contest, giving candidates in the state a prominent platform.