El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary, jolting Democrats
Why it matters: The November race against Mike Rogers could help decide Senate control and test a left-wing message in a swing state.
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic primary for US Senate, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens after a bitter contest that exposed a split between the party’s progressive wing and its establishment. El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official backed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, had led in polls for weeks, though the final margin was tighter than many surveys suggested. Stevens had support from Democratic leaders in Washington and heavy outside spending, including $32 million from Aipac, but fell short. The result sets up a high-stakes November matchup with former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in a battleground state that could help determine control of the Senate.