Primary win clears way for progressive democrat El-Sayed's senate run

Progressive US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed defeats moderate Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic primary in a defining race signalling a possible leftist pivot for the party.

The contest in Michigan has surpassed turnout of previous Senate and gubernatorial primaries and almost every presidential primary going back to at least 1978, according to state records.

El-Sayed will now face Republican Mike Rogers, who ran unopposed in his primary. Rogers lost by just under 20,000 votes to now Senator Elissa Slotkin in 2024.

It's expected to be a close race that both parties see as crucial to the chances of winning the Senate chamber.

El-Sayed has garnered support from both independents and Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Sanders praises El-Sayed's primary win in Michigan as "literally unprecedented in modern American history," saying his economic message had broad appeal and has the ability to turn ability to turn out core Democratic constituencies including Black and Jewish voters.

Warren echoes the sentiments, saying El-Sayed's message about affordability and the economy will appeal to a broad audience.

Primary win clears way for progressive democrat Abdul El-Sayed to run in Michigan Senate race.