Abdul El‑Sayed, a left‑wing political outsider, is projected to take Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, beating moderate four‑term congresswoman Haley Stevens.
El‑Sayed, a former public‑health official, backs universal healthcare, an end to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and a withdrawal of unconditional US military aid to Israel.
If confirmed, he will face Republican and Trump ally Mike Rogers in the November midterm election.
El‑Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, would become the first Muslim US senator if elected.
The party split in Michigan underscores the balancing act the Democratic Party will navigate before the final two years of President Donald Trump’s presidency.
Both candidates prospected a different vision for Michigan and for the country: El‑Sayed with an anti‑Israel stance and a left‑wing agenda, Stevens with a centrist approach and pro‑Israel policies.
El‑Sayed was endorsed by left‑wing politicians such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez; Stevens captured support from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Gary Peters.
A heart‑felt message from El‑Sayed called for unity regardless of the outcome: "Whatever happens tonight, we have a responsibility to unite, to make sure that [Republican] Mike Rogers never sees the inside of the US Senate."
Michigan voters, along with voters in Virginia and Washington, cast ballots for Democratic House candidates on the same day.
The senate seat currently held by a retiring Democrat has not seen a Republican winner since 1994, though Michigan is a crucial swing state in presidential contests.
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