The Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate in Michigan remained too close to call in the early hours of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, as progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed and moderate Rep. Haley Stevens vied for the nomination. The closely contested election underscores the ongoing ideological battle within the Democratic Party, with millions in outside spending pouring into the contest.
El-Sayed, a former Wayne County Health Department director and a favorite of the party's progressive wing, held a razor-thin lead as votes were still being counted. He is backed by prominent progressive figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Stevens, a sitting congresswoman, is supported by establishment leaders, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Her campaign is endorsed by the retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
The race to succeed Peters is considered crucial for Democrats in a battleground state, as it could impact the balance of power in the closely divided Senate. The contest has become the most expensive Democratic Senate nomination race in history, with over $80 million spent, much of it by outside groups targeting El-Sayed. The United Democracy Project, a political action committee aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), was a major spender.
El-Sayed, who, if elected, would be the first Muslim senator, has campaigned on a platform including "Medicare-for-all," abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza. The party establishment, however, views Stevens as more electable, pointing to El-Sayed's past controversial comments.
Both candidates, in their primary night speeches, urged party unity and pivoted to the general election fight against Republican nominee Mike Rogers. Stevens characterized the Republican effort as an attempt to keep the Senate red and have Rogers "rubber stamp Donald Trump's ridiculous agenda."
The ideological divisions within the Democratic Party were also evident in other Michigan races. In the 7th Congressional District, a Republican-controlled swing seat, William Lawrence, backed by progressive groups and figures like Sanders and El-Sayed, edged out more moderate candidates. In the deep blue 13th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar, supported by House Democratic leaders, faced a challenge from state Rep. Donovan McKinney, who had backing from Sanders, El-Sayed, and several "Squad" members.
Elsewhere, the party establishment secured some victories. In Missouri's 1st Congressional District, Rep. Wesley Bell, endorsed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, defeated former Rep. Cori Bush, who was backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. Bell's campaign also benefited from significant outside spending.
Beyond the contested primaries, Michigan Democrats also saw their nominees for governor and attorney general win their respective primaries. Jocelyn Benson secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Dana Nessel was renominated as attorney general.
On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers, the GOP Senate nominee in Michigan, saw Trump-backed candidates win key gubernatorial nominations in both Michigan and Kansas, underscoring President Donald Trump's influence within the party. Rep. John James, endorsed by Trump, won the Republican nomination for governor in Michigan, setting up a race against Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson. In Kansas, Trump-endorsed state Senate President Ty Masterson won the Republican gubernatorial primary.