DETROIT — Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, narrowly defeating establishment-backed U.S. Representative Haley Stevens in a closely watched primary that exposed divisions within the party ahead of the November midterm election.
El-Sayed, a former Detroit-area public health official, won about 48.5% of the vote to Stevens’ roughly 47.5%, according to results reported by the Associated Press. The margin made the race one of the closest and most closely scrutinized Democratic primaries of the 2026 election cycle.
The result gives the Democratic Party’s progressive wing a significant victory in Michigan, a closely contested state where Democrats are defending an open Senate seat after Democratic Senator Gary Peters decided not to seek reelection. The November contest could help determine control of the Senate.
El-Sayed had the backing of prominent progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. His campaign emphasized universal health care, opposition to corporate influence in politics and changes to U.S. policy toward Israel.
Stevens, a four-term congresswoman, was supported by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and other Democratic establishment figures who argued that her record of winning competitive elections made her better positioned for the general election. Outside groups spent tens of millions of dollars supporting Stevens and opposing El-Sayed, according to election coverage and campaign spending reports.
Stevens conceded after the primary and pledged her support for El-Sayed, helping Democratic leaders begin efforts to unify the party following a contentious campaign. Michigan Democrats have since appeared together at a Detroit rally intended to demonstrate unity heading into the general election.
El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative who was unopposed for his party’s Senate nomination. Republicans have already targeted El-Sayed’s progressive positions as they seek to win the seat.
The Michigan Senate race is expected to be a major battleground in November, with both parties viewing the state as important to their efforts to control the chamber. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
