Progressive Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary; Trump Calls Him Communist Loser

Washington DC: Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has secured the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s open US Senate seat, defeating Congresswoman Haley Stevens in a closely contested primary that highlighted growing tensions between the party’s progressive and establishment wings.

El-Sayed won by about one percentage point, with a margin of fewer than 15,000 votes, according to the Associated Press. He will face Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the November midterm election for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

The Michigan race is expected to be a key contest in the battle for control of the Senate. Democrats are seeking to retain the seat as they attempt to reclaim a majority in the chamber, while Republicans view the state as a major opportunity to expand their position.

An epidemiologist and former state public health official, El-Sayed built his campaign around progressive priorities, including Medicare for All and reducing the influence of big money in politics. His victory was backed by leaders and organisations on the party’s left, while Stevens received support from prominent Democratic figures, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The Israel-Gaza war also emerged as a major issue during the campaign. El-Sayed repeatedly criticised the role of outside political spending and sought support from Michigan’s sizeable Arab American community. The state was a centre of the “uncommitted” movement during the 2024 presidential election, when many voters withheld support from Democratic candidate Kamala Harris over the Biden administration’s policy on Gaza.

El-Sayed’s campaign described the result as a victory for grassroots organising over political spending. Campaign manager Alia Kapasi said the campaign had demonstrated that Michigan voters wanted “money out of politics,” greater economic security and universal healthcare.

President Donald Trump reacted to the result by calling El-Sayed’s nomination beneficial for Republicans and launching a personal attack on the Democratic candidate. El-Sayed has previously condemned antisemitism.

Despite backing Stevens during the primary, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said it was ready to support El-Sayed in the general election. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand praised his campaign and said Democrats were united in their effort to defeat Republican candidates and regain control of the Senate.

Rogers, who faced no opposition in the Republican primary, narrowly lost Michigan’s 2024 Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. His contest against El-Sayed is expected to be among the most closely watched Senate elections of the November midterms.