Detroit: Progressive physician and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed has emerged victorious in Michigan's Democratic primary for the US Senate, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens in one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm election cycle. El-Sayed, who campaigned on expanding healthcare access and reducing the political influence of wealthy donors, will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. If successful, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
According to Anadolu Agency, the race highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party, pitting progressives against moderates over key issues such as healthcare, campaign finance, and US support for Israel. Michigan, a pivotal battleground state with a significant Arab American population, is seen as an indicator of Democratic voter priorities ahead of the midterms. The primary attracted substantial national attention, marked by unprecedented outside spending. Groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee reportedly spent approximately $30 million in support of Stevens, contributing to a total outside expenditure exceeding $60 million, making it one of the most expensive Senate primaries in US history.
El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health director, has been a vocal critic of US military aid to Israel, describing its actions in Gaza as genocide and advocating for reallocating taxpayer funds to domestic needs like healthcare. His campaign received endorsements from prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The result is part of a series of victories for progressive and pro-Palestinian Democrats in recent primaries, though the movement has faced high-profile defeats as well.
Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, endorsed El-Sayed, reinforcing the alliance among Michigan's progressive leaders. Tlaib, a strong advocate for Palestinian rights, secured renomination in Michigan's 12th Congressional District, continuing her influence within the party's progressive bloc. Her support for El-Sayed highlights the increasing cooperation among progressive leaders in the state, driven by an influential Arab American and younger Democratic voter base.
William Lawrence also secured his primary victory in Michigan, campaigning on progressive platforms like affordable healthcare and economic fairness. His alignment with the party's growing progressive bloc includes advocating for Palestinian human rights and critiquing US military support for Israel. Similarly, Rep. Donavan McKinney, another Michigan progressive, won his primary after emphasizing expanded healthcare access and labor rights, along with advocating for changes in US policy toward Israel.
Despite these gains, the progressive movement experienced setbacks, such as Cori Bush's loss in Missouri's Democratic primary and Aisha Farooqi's defeat in Michigan. Nonetheless, El-Sayed's victory, along with successes by other progressive candidates like Adam Hamawy, Claire Valdez, Brad Lander, and Darializa Avila Chevalier, underscores the growing influence of progressive organizing within Democratic politics.