Michigan Democrats held a primary election to select their Senate nominee in a race expected to be central to the party’s efforts to regain control of the chamber. The contest pitted U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a four-term congresswoman representing districts near Detroit, against Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director and unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial candidate.
The primary became a proxy battle between Democratic establishment and progressive factions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer supported Stevens, while Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, backed El-Sayed. Stevens centered her campaign on manufacturing and economic issues, emphasizing her track record in competitive races. She received backing from former President Barack Obama, who highlighted her role in his administration’s auto industry task force. El-Sayed campaigned on Medicare for All, campaign finance reform, and opposing military aid to Israel, positioning himself as an anti-establishment candidate.
Outside spending in the race reached unprecedented levels, with groups supporting Stevens spending more than $50 million, including more than $30 million from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its affiliates. Israel policy emerged as a central issue despite not being directly mentioned in many advertisements, as the two candidates held markedly different positions on U.S. support for the country amid the Gaza conflict.
The winner advances to face Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in the general election. Rogers won his primary unopposed after narrowly losing a Senate race in 2024. The seat became open due to the retirement of Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Tuesday’s primary also featured multiple other competitive races, including gubernatorial contests and several House primaries across the state that could affect the chamber’s control.
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