Abdul El-Sayed defeats Aipac-backed rival in Michigan Senate primary

Progressive advocate Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, NBC News projected late Tuesday, defeating Congresswoman Haley Stevens in a primary that shattered spending records and became a national flashpoint over the Israel-Gaza conflict. With 92.9 percent of expected votes tallied, El-Sayed held 48.7 percent to Stevens' 47.3 percent, a narrow but decisive margin.

A $60 Million Battle Shaped by Outside Money

The race drew more than $60 million in total spending, much of it from outside groups. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) alone poured over $30 million into efforts to elect Stevens, aiming to sideline one of the Democratic Party's most outspoken pro-Palestinian voices. El-Sayed repeatedly accused Aipac and its affiliated political action committees of attempting to “buy” the election, a message that resonated with a diverse coalition of progressive activists and Arab American voters in the swing state.

El-Sayed's Stance on Gaza and U.S. Aid to Israel

Throughout the campaign, El-Sayed described Israel's military campaign in Gaza as a genocide, echoing the language used by major human rights organizations and Palestinian advocates. He argued that billions in U.S. military assistance to Israel should be redirected to domestic needs such as healthcare, affordable housing, education, and infrastructure. His position energized voters who had previously organized against President Joe Biden's support for the war, helping fuel a grassroots movement that proved decisive in Tuesday's primary.

Stevens' Defense and an Endorsement Shift

Stevens rejected claims that she was beholden to outside interests, pointing to her legislative record of delivering for Michigan. Meanwhile, Mallory McMorrow, a state legislator who had dropped out of the race weeks earlier, endorsed El-Sayed shortly after NBC's projection, signaling consolidation behind the progressive candidate. El-Sayed, a 41-year-old physician and former Detroit health director, was cautious in his victory remarks, telling supporters, “I wish I could tell you that I was declaring victory right about now.” He quickly pivoted to the general election, adding, “I know you’re listening, Mike. Mike, we are coming for you.”

A November Showdown for Senate Control

El-Sayed will face former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in November in one of the country's most competitive Senate races. The outcome could help determine control of the Senate during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. The projected primary victory marks a watershed for progressive Democrats and Arab American voters, potentially reshaping the party's approach to foreign policy and the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups. As the general election begins, El-Sayed is expected to focus on economic populism and his anti-war platform, while Rogers will likely position himself as a moderate Republican in a state that has trended Democratic in recent cycles.