Abdul El-Sayed has narrowly defeated U.S. Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan’s U.S. Senate primary, securing the Democratic nomination after a contest that stretched through the night and into the morning. At the time The Associated Press declared him the winner, El-Sayed held a lead of 14,893 votes—representing just under 1 percentage point—out of more than 1.5 million ballots counted. The matchup sets up a crucial general election battle in November against Republican candidate Mike Rogers for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.
Abdul El-Sayed Defeats Haley Stevens in Michigan Senate Democratic Primary
The primary outcome underscored a growing divide between the Democratic Party establishment and its progressive wing. Stevens entered the race as the undisputed choice of the party establishment, backed by top Michigan Democrats and party centrists. A four-term congresswoman who previously served on the team tasked with rescuing the auto industry during the 2008–2009 recession, Stevens held a significant financial advantage on the airwaves, where groups supporting her significantly outspent El-Sayed according to data from AdImpact. Despite Washington insiders’ efforts and outside spending exceeding $60 million against him, El-Sayed harnessed deep voter frustration with the political establishment.
A Progressive Platform and High-Profile Endorsements
El-Sayed, 41, of Ann Arbor, ran on an unapologetically progressive agenda centered around traditional volunteer-based voter outreach and the signature slogan, Money out of politics. Money in your pocket. Medicare for All.
His platform also included calling for an end to U.S. military aid and weapons sales to Israel, supporting Supreme Court reforms such as ending lifetime appointments, and abolishing ICE. During the campaign, he drew criticism toward spending by an organization aligned with the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC.
The candidate attracted major figures from the political left, including Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who traveled to Michigan to campaign with him. Sanders praised the outcome, noting that El-Sayed’s victory demonstrated a desire for change among working families and the middle class. While opponents labeled him a socialist, El-Sayed does not identify as one, describing himself instead as a capitalist.
Background and the Path to the November General Election
Raised in Southeastern Michigan, El-Sayed is an epidemiologist who previously served as the executive director of the Detroit Health Department and Health Officer for the City of Detroit from 2015 to 2017. He previously ran in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, finishing second behind now-Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He launched his current Senate campaign in April 2025 following Senator Gary Peters’ surprise announcement that he would not seek reelection.
In November, El-Sayed will face Time Magazine, a former congressman, U.S. Army lieutenant, and FBI special agent who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. Rogers has criticized El-Sayed’s positions and cast the upcoming contest as a choice between crazy vs common sense.
Meanwhile, top national Democratic figures, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, quickly released a statement of support expressing a desire to work with El-Sayed to secure the seat in the key battleground state.
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