El-Sayed win in Michigan sets up high-stakes Senate test
Why it matters: The November race against Mike Rogers could help decide Senate control after Gary Peters retires.
Abdul El-Sayed’s win in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary has set up a closely watched November contest with Republican Mike Rogers in a battleground state that could help decide control of the Senate. El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official backed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, beat Rep. Haley Stevens after a race that drew heavy outside spending, including $32 million from Aipac backing Stevens. Rogers, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, quickly appealed to Democrats uneasy with El-Sayed’s left-wing platform. The seat is open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is retiring, raising the stakes for both parties three months before the midterms.