Michigan Senate Primary Heightens Fight Over Billionaire Funding and Black Voter Support

Senator Bernie Sanders warned that the billionaire class is pouring money into the Michigan Democratic Senate primary to defeat progressive candidate Abdul El‑Sayed. He noted that wealthy donors have spent roughly $50 million on the race, creating a 12‑to‑1 spending gap that favors establishment candidate Rep. Haley Stevens. Sanders said, “It’s really about Abdul and the billionaire class.”

Stevens, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized El‑Sayed for aligning with commentator William Lawrence, whose recent remarks questioning Black leaders sparked backlash from the Congressional Black Caucus. Stevens urged El‑Sayed to withdraw that endorsement, emphasizing the importance of Black voter support in the battleground state. Both campaigns continue heavy outside‑spending efforts as the August 4 primary approaches, with the winner set to face Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in the general election.