Anti-Israel Democratic candidate El-Sayed holds narrow lead in Michigan Senate primary

By Reuters 5 August 2026, 6:38 am

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United Auto Workers Michigan Political Director Art Reyes III speaks during a primary election night event for Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive anti-Israel candidate in the Democratic primary for US Senate in Michigan, August 4, 2026, at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

WASHINGTON — Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed holds a narrow lead over US Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic US Senate primary, though the outcome of a race viewed as a major test of the Democratic Party’s future remains uncertain.

With 42% of the estimated vote counted, CNN shows El-Sayed leading Stevens by 49.8% to 46.5%.

The contest has emerged as one of the clearest tests yet of the direction of the Democratic Party, pitting El-Sayed’s campaign against Stevens, an establishment-backed moderate supported by Democratic leaders and pro-Israel groups.

The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November in a race critical to Democrats’ hopes of regaining control of the US Senate.