Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Democratic Senate primary

Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official, won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary on August 5, 2026, defeating four-term Rep. Haley Stevens in a race that will shape one of 2026's most competitive Senate contests, per NBC News.

El-Sayed advanced to the general election having mounted his campaign against a nearly $65 million advertising disadvantage. Stevens and her allied groups spent nearly nine times as much on advertising as El-Sayed and his allied groups, according to AdImpact.

El-Sayed centered his campaign on Medicare for All, criticism of money in politics, and opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel. He also accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a position with particular resonance in Michigan, which has large Muslim and Arab American populations. At a debate in Detroit, El-Sayed said, "If you need a $60 million crutch, you probably can't be elected on your own terms."

Stevens aligned herself with the Democratic establishment, securing late-July endorsements from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Gary Peters (the retiring Democratic incumbent), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. A group affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent more than $30 million supporting Stevens.

El-Sayed received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who campaigned for him in the state. He also secured backing from the United Auto Workers. A third candidate, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, dropped out in July after attempting to position herself between Stevens and El-Sayed; McMorrow endorsed El-Sayed after the race was called, stating in an emailed statement: "I'm proud to give Abdul my full endorsement and support as we head to November together as a unified party."

El-Sayed will face former Rep. Mike Rogers, a Trump-endorsed Republican who claimed the GOP nomination without opposition on August 4. Trump addressed El-Sayed's primary victory during a Tuesday night Fox News interview, arguing that candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America or its members will "ruin our country." El-Sayed told The Wall Street Journal he is "not technically or practically DSA," and has not been formally endorsed by the DSA. Trump told Fox News he believes Rogers will "do much better against Abdul than he's going to do against the congresswoman."

The November race is expected to be highly competitive and could determine which party controls the Senate. Republicans currently hold 53 seats. Democrats need to flip four seats to swing the Senate majority while also defending seats in Georgia and Michigan. The seat being vacated by Peters has been described as critical to Senate control.