Democrats coalesce behind El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race
Why it matters: The party must unite quickly after a divisive primary to defend a key seat and try to regain the Senate majority.
Senate Democrats are lining up behind Michigan nominee Abdul El-Sayed after his narrow primary win over Rep. Haley Stevens, as the party works to hold a battleground seat against Republican Mike Rogers. Bernie Sanders predicted El-Sayed would win in November, while several Democratic senators voiced confidence in his chances even after some prominent Democrats had backed Stevens. Still, some lawmakers sidestepped questions about El-Sayed’s more progressive positions, including past support for defunding police, abolishing ICE and Medicare for All. Sen. Mark Warner was the clearest dissenter, saying there were areas where he did not fully agree with El-Sayed. Sen. Tammy Baldwin pointed to El-Sayed’s background as an epidemiologist and former Wayne County health director.