Michigan Senate Primary Pits Progressive Abdul El-Sayed Against Moderate Haley Stevens
Voters in Michigan will choose between progressive former health official Abdul El-Sayed and centrist congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary, a race that could shape the party's direction ahead of the 2024 general election.
Michigan voters are deciding the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in a contest between former public-health official Abdul El-Sayed, who advocates for universal health care, and U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, a centrist who previously flipped a Republican district. El-Sayed has led recent internal polls, while the race has attracted more than $40 million in outside spending, including contributions from groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The winner will face Republican former congressman Mike Rogers, the party’s nominee after he lost to incumbent Elissa Slotkin in 2024. The Michigan seat is viewed as pivotal for Democrats seeking to regain a majority in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold 53 of 100 seats.
Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed El-Sayed and other progressive challengers in Michigan congressional races, supporting candidates such as community organizer William Lawrence in the seventh district and state representative Donavan McKinney in the thirteenth district. On the Republican side, potential nominees for the Senate include U.S. Representative John James, who has Trump’s endorsement, and businessman Perry Johnson.
Other primaries on Tuesday include contests in Missouri and Washington state, where candidates also confront issues such as the war in Gaza and external lobbying influences.