El-Sayed bests Stevens in Senate primary
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Abdul El-Sayed, left, and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens speak at their respective watch parties early Wednesday. Photos: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Sarah Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Michigan Democrats chose the progressive path in Tuesday's election, nominating Abdul El-Sayed after months of relentless campaigning and one of the country's most closely watched Democratic primaries.
Why it matters: Democrats nationwide treated Michigan as a proving ground for the party's progressive candidates. The results will influence how candidates, donors and strategists think about this fall's battleground races — and the fight to lead the party into 2028.
The latest: After a night of waiting and a razor-thin margin, El-Sayed proved victorious with 48.5% to Stevens' 47.5%, per the AP.
- Mallory McMorrow, who dropped out but still appeared on the ballot, received 4%.
- She endorsed El-Sayed early Wednesday morning, per the News.
The big picture: El-Sayed built a grassroots campaign around a more progressive vision for Democrats, overcoming a 12-to-1 outside spending disadvantage. Stevens countered that she was the party's strongest candidate to defeat Republican Mike Rogers in November.
Behind the scenes: El-Sayed supporters packed Detroit's Majestic Theatre, where a line stretched down Woodward Avenue after polls closed.
- Cheers erupted as early returns showed him leading and progressive allies, including congressional candidate Will Lawrence and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, performing well.
- As Stevens steadily closed the gap, the celebration gave way to anxious anticipation.
What they're saying: "What we showed is the power of our many is greater than the power of their money," El-Sayed said in a press event Wednesday, addressing Stevens' big spending advantage from outside groups.
- "If you supported me or did not support me ... if you believe like me that you ought to be able to afford your groceries, if you believe like me that you ought to be able to afford your home ... I hope that you'll join this movement now."
Zoom out: The Senate race wasn't the only Democratic primary testing the party's direction.
- In the Lansing-area 7th Congressional District, Lawrence defeated two more establishment-backed rivals to advance to November.
- Party leaders fear that Lawrence's left-leaning politics will make the seat harder to win this fall.
What's next: El-Sayed now pivots to face Rogers in a November Senate race expected to rank among the nation's most expensive and consequential.
Editor's note: This story was originally published before the race was called, when El-Sayed was leading. It has now been updated to show that he won.