NewzProgressives scored their biggest win of the year Tuesday in Michigan's Senate primary, narrowly defeating the Democratic establishment in the clearest sign yet of how a populist surge is remaking the party.Why it matters: Left-wing outsider Abdul El-Sayed underperformed predictions, but his victory over moderate Rep. Haley Stevens was still a rebuke to party leaders in D.C. and Michigan, and to big donors who flooded Stevens' campaign with cash.El-Sayed was outspent 9 to 1 by Stevens and her allies — including AIPAC's political arm.
He ran on an unapologetically progressive platform to abolish ICE, support Medicare for All and staunchly oppose aid to Israel.In a bitter campaign, El-Sayed was painted as a sexist, an antisemite and critic of former First Lady Michelle Obama — much of it on the airwaves. Gretchen Whitmer cut a slick video backing Stevens.It wasn't enough.Key takeaways from Michigan:1. Progressives lay the groundwork for 2028.Progressives and democratic socialists have been eager to show that one of their own can carry a battleground state that will be crucial in the next presidential election.
They'll get a chance to prove that in November, now that El-Sayed has been nominated in Michigan.If El-Sayed succeeds in November, it'll be seen as a boon for the prospects of a left-wing 2028 presidential contender such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.On the other hand, if El-Sayed were to stumble, AOC — who's mulling a run for Senate or the White House in 2028 — likely would share some of the backlash. She's been among El-Sayed's top surrogates.2.
Bernie hands Chuck an "L."With the progressive movement he'd fostered for so long building unprecedented momentum, progressive icon and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders went on a mission to elect progressives up and down the ticket this year — often opposing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's favorites, including Stevens.Sanders backed El-Sayed on the first day of his campaign. Stevens' loss marks the second time this year that Schumer failed to get his preferred candidate over the finish line in a Senate primary.
The last time the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee whiffed in a major primary before this year was in 2010.3. Money isn't everything.El-Sayed, a former a former Wayne County health director, compared himself to David going up against Goliath.The Biblical allusion made… Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's Democratic nomination for U.S.
Haley Stevens in a massive victory for the party's progressive wing in a battleground state. Progressive candidate will face Republican Mike Rogers in race to represent midwestern purple state in the SenateUS politics live – latest updatesAbdul El-Sayed won the Democratic primary for US Senate in Michigan, becoming the latest leftwing candidate to capture the party’s nomination ahead of November’s midterm elections.El-Sayed, a progressive, beat Haley Stevens, a moderate US representative backed by the party’s establishment. He will now face Republican Mike Rogers in the race to represent the midwestern purple state in the Senate.
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