Sens. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are scheduled to campaign in Michigan this weekend to support Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate vying for the Democratic nomination in the state's U.S. Senate primary. El-Sayed faces Rep. Haley Stevens, a more moderate candidate, in a contest that highlights the ideological divide within the Democratic Party.
This race is seen as the latest battleground in the ongoing struggle between the party's left-wing and establishment factions for its future direction. The winner of the Aug. 4 primary will face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in November for the open seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The seat is considered a key target for Republicans seeking to gain a Senate majority.
The primary contest became a two-person race after state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who had been running as a progressive between El-Sayed and Stevens, suspended her campaign. According to a recent Detroit News/WDIV poll, Stevens held a seven-point lead over El-Sayed following a debate between the two candidates.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former Wayne County Health Department director, previously ran an insurgent campaign for governor in 2018. His platform includes support for Medicare for All, calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and criticism of Israel's actions in the conflict with Hamas, which he has characterized as genocide. He has stated he will not accept PAC donations. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim senator.
Stevens is backed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and the party establishment, who view her as more electable. They express concerns that El-Sayed's progressive stances could jeopardize the seat in a state that narrowly voted for President Trump in 2020. Sen. Gary Peters recently endorsed Stevens.
The primary has also become a costly affair, with outside groups actively involved. The United Democracy Project, a PAC aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), has reportedly spent nearly $15 million in support of Stevens and against El-Sayed. Sanders has criticized this spending, stating that a "billionaire-funded Super PAC shouldn't determine American elections or foreign policy."
Analysts suggest that the outcome in Michigan could represent a significant victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. However, others caution against overemphasizing the results as a national directional shift, citing unique factors in Michigan, such as its Arab American population and the prominence of the Israel issue, as well as the individual candidates involved. The race is taking place in a crucial midterm election cycle where control of the Senate hangs in the balance.