Stevens' 12-to-1 Michigan spending advantage over El-Sayed
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Outside super PACs backing Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) are outspending Abdul El-Sayed on television by more than 12 to 1 during the final five weeks of Michigan's Democratic Senate primary.
- The total: $26.9 million for Stevens versus $2.1 million for El-Sayed, from July 1 to the Aug. 4 primary, according to AdImpact.
Why it matters: That's a massive cash advantage in an expensive state — and it underscores how outside groups have reshaped the race's closing stretch in what is turning into a proxy war for the future of the Democratic Party.
By the numbers: A constellation of super PACs is fueling Stevens' advertising blitz.
- United Democracy Project, the AIPAC-affiliated super PAC, has reserved roughly $19 million in broadcast television ad time in the closing five weeks, according to AdImpact.
- A Stronger Michigan, a pro-Stevens super PAC, has reserved about $5 million.
- Unite to Win, a new super PAC working for Stevens, has reserved another $2 million.
On El-Sayed's side:
- Fighting for Michigan, a super PAC supporting El-Sayed that planned to spend millions in direct mail, digital advertising and organizing, has reserved $375,000 for broadcast television.
- The El-Sayed campaign itself has spent or reserved roughly $1.7 million.
What they're saying: "Congresswoman Stevens is relying on massive outside spending from AIPAC and Trump-aligned billionaires to manufacture momentum," El-Sayed spokesperson Roxie Richner said in a statement to Axios.
- "This race is truly the many versus the money."
State of play: The spending gap was already lopsided a month ago, when Stevens and her allies had booked roughly $17 million in advertising, compared with about $2.1 million for El-Sayed.
- The race narrowed from three candidates to two after state Sen. Mallory McMorrow ended her campaign in early June.
- A Detroit News poll published Tuesday shows Stevens leading El-Sayed, 48% to 41%.
