Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary, jolting Democrats
Why it matters: The left-backed win sets up a high-stakes race against Republican Mike Rogers in a battleground state.
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, overcoming a better-funded establishment-backed rival and sending a jolt through the party ahead of November. The former Michigan health official defeated Rep. Haley Stevens, who had support from Democratic leadership in Washington and major outside spending, including $32 million tied to Aipac, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. El-Sayed, backed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, ran on government-backed health insurance, lower drug costs, higher taxes on the wealthy and campaign finance reform. He now faces former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in a general election contest that could help decide Senate control.