El-Sayed seeks Democratic unity in Michigan after upset win
Why it matters: The Michigan Senate race could help decide control of the chamber, and El-Sayed now faces Republican Mike Rogers in November.
Abdul El-Sayed is trying to unify Michigan Democrats after his narrow Senate primary win over Haley Stevens exposed a split between the party’s progressive and moderate wings. El-Sayed said he spoke Friday with former President Barack Obama and hopes he will campaign in Michigan before the November midterms. The call came as Democrats held a unity rally in Detroit following a bitter primary that drew national attention and heavy outside spending. El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official backed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, now faces former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers. Rogers has tried to court disaffected Democrats as the race in the swing state takes on added importance for Senate control.