El-Sayed leads Stevens by 1 point in Michigan Senate primary
What's next: The result sets up a likely November matchup with Republican Mike Rogers in a race that could help decide Senate control.
Abdul El-Sayed held a narrow lead over Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary early Wednesday, with 96% of votes counted and The Associated Press reporting him ahead 48.5% to 47.5%. The closely watched race is for the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters at the end of this Congress. El-Sayed, a former public health official backed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, ran as a progressive challenger to Stevens, who had support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Sen. Debbie Stabenow. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who ended her campaign in July, received 4% of the vote. The outcome is a key test of Democratic ideology in a battleground state that both parties see as pivotal to control of the Senate.