A narrow victory in Michigan’s Democratic primary for Abdul El-Sayed, a quick-talking former health official, over Rep. Haley Stevens, his establishment-backed rival, has put a left-wing candidate for the U.S. Senate on the ballot in a crucial swing state that has long sent moderates to Congress.
The closeness of Tuesday’s result – Dr. El-Sayed is projected to win by less than a percentage point – might give progressives a reality check in the limits of left-wing populism in statewide races. Ms. Stevens’ allies had argued that she had a better chance of beating Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee, in November, because of both her track record in Congress and her appeal to independent voters. They can cite the close margin as proof that a significant number of Democrats, particularly in Detroit, a majority-Black city, were hesitant about Dr. El-Sayed and his ambitious plans for government intervention in the economy.
But his victory over an opponent who massively outspent him provides more ballast for the party’s progressive wing after a string of primary wins in New York, Colorado, and other states. To Dr. El-Sayed’s allies, his grassroots campaign showed that a focus on working-class stresses and on affordable healthcare, in particular, was a winning strategy that met the moment.
Why We Wrote This
Abdul El-Sayed’s close primary victory in Michigan notches another win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Now, Democrats must unite to face Republican Mike Rogers in November.
Now, Democrats in Michigan must come together after a bitter contest. One of the sharpest divides between the two candidates was over U.S.-Israeli policy: Dr. El-Sayed is a fierce critic of Israel and defender of Palestinian rights; Ms. Stevens is pro-Israel and was the beneficiary of massive campaign spending by pro-Israel groups.
In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called for party unity. “Michigan voters chose a candidate who will fight to lower costs, strengthen communities, stand up for working Americans, and build an economy that works for everyone. Democrats are united in working together to keep this seat blue and send El-Sayed to the U.S. Senate,” he said.
Ms. Stevens also announced her support for her opponent in November to “make sure this Senate seat remains blue.” The seat is open because Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, is retiring. He endorsed Ms. Stevens in the primary, as did the state’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer.
Michigan’s primary comes a week before neighboring Wisconsin holds a gubernatorial primary in which left-wing state lawmaker Francesca Hong appears to have a commanding lead in polls over a moderate rival backed by outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Both primaries, held in battleground Midwestern states that President Donald Trump won in 2024, are being scrutinized to gauge the strength of progressives within the Democratic coalition.
In recent weeks, Dr. El-Sayed’s campaign had trumpeted partisan polls showing him comfortably ahead of Ms. Stevens. That might have raised expectations of a decisive victory among left-leaning national Democrats who have donated to his campaign. And it will be seized upon by skeptics who argue that progressives can turn out younger, college-educated voters but aren’t reaching the party’s less ideological core, including older Democrats in cities like Detroit.
Pro-Israel donors did better in Missouri: Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush, a progressive critic of Israel. Mr. Bell won the deep-blue seat with support from The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the same organization that spent heavily on Ms. Stevens.