Progressive challenger Abdul El‑Sayed faces establishment Democrat Haley Stevens in Michigan Senate primary

Former public‑health official Abdul El‑Sayed is running for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan that opens with the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters. The August 4 Democratic primary pits El‑Sayed, supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, against moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, who has endorsements from party leaders and the Democratic establishment.

El‑Sayed’s platform includes Medicare for All, abolishing ICE and cutting U.S. aid to Israel, positions that have drawn heavy criticism and attack ads from the GOP and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Stevens warns that El‑Sayed is “too radical for Michigan,” while El‑Sayed argues voters care more about health‑care costs, jobs and AI than ideology, saying, “This ideology thing — people think too deeply into it.”

The race is seen as a bellwether for the party’s direction and could influence whether Democrats retain the seat needed for a Senate majority in the 2026 midterm elections. AOC has held rallies in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids to boost El‑Sayed’s campaign, highlighting the high‑stakes nature of the contest.