Abdul El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, the two leading Democratic candidates in Michigan's Senate primary, made their final appeals to voters Sunday in Detroit-area churches and union halls, seeking to consolidate support ahead of Tuesday's election.
The primary is seen as a key test of the Democratic Party's direction, with El-Sayed, a progressive endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, challenging Stevens, a four-term congresswoman backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and many of Michigan's established Democratic leaders.
The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for an open seat critical to the party's hopes of controlling the Senate. The race has attracted significant national attention and tens of millions of dollars in campaign spending.
In Detroit, El-Sayed attended services at several Black churches, where he emphasized economic opportunity and equal rights. He was joined by Democratic Representatives Summer Lee and Ayanna Pressley, along with Yusef Jackson of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
"I believe in the kind of America where no matter where you grow up, the color of your skin, how you pray, you deserve equal rights in this country," El-Sayed told a congregation at Kingdom Covenant Church. "You deserve to go to a good school, you deserve to get healthcare, you deserve to graduate and get a good job."
Stevens, meanwhile, highlighted her long-standing connections to Detroit-area churches and community engagement. She met with congregants after a service in Pontiac, emphasizing her consistent presence in the community. Her campaign has also used advertisements to underscore her ties to former President Barack Obama and her role in the 2009-2011 auto rescue effort.
"I come here year-round. This isn’t just a campaign thing," Stevens said. "Our churches are places of community refuge, community connection."
Both candidates are vying for crucial support from Detroit's Black voters, a key demographic in Michigan Democratic primaries. One voter, Robin Robertson, a 59-year-old Detroit resident, said she decided to support El-Sayed after his visit to her church, feeling his agenda better matched current needs.
Reggie Williams, a constituent supporting Stevens, stated that she has "always been there for the people" and maintains a strong presence "on the ground."
For the final full day before the primary, El-Sayed planned to remain in Detroit, focusing on mobilizing volunteers and driving turnout. Stevens was scheduled to campaign across West Michigan, targeting Democratic strongholds in cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.
After a year of campaigning and extensive advertising, the closing days are focused on ensuring supporters cast their ballots. El-Sayed is relying on his campaign's volunteer operation, which he says has grown to 12,000 statewide. Stevens is depending on broader institutional support from prominent Michigan Democrats, including Sen. Gary Peters and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The election results will determine which candidate can best unite the state's Democratic coalition to contest the general election in November.