Michigan’s U.S. Senate primary heats up as El-Sayed holds lead

By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

Recent polling in Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race shows Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading establishment-backed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens as the Democratic primary approaches.

The winner of the Aug. 4 primary will face Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in November in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.

An average of four recent polls shows El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate, leading Stevens 36.5% to 32.8%. This is according to polls compiled by 270toWin.

With the primary in just 20 days, Democrats will choose a nominee to succeed retiring Democrat U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.

In recent weeks, the political rhetoric in the race has intensified.

Since Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign in early July, El-Sayed and Stevens have traded sharp attacks as they compete for the support of Michigan Democrats.

El-Sayed has cast himself as the candidate taking on “AIPAC and the establishment.” The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying organization, has spent millions backing Stevens’ campaign.

Stevens, meanwhile, has criticized El-Sayed for delaying the release of his financial disclosure forms and has dismissed several of his policy proposals as “aspirational.”

“I’d like to remind Abdul that aspirational goals aren’t real results,” Stevens said on Monday. “There’s only one candidate that’s delivered real legislation to lower health care costs for Michiganders, and that’s me.”

Although El-Sayed has rejected the label of democratic socialist, he has aligned himself with the Democratic Party’s more progressive wing.

He has been endorsed by several members of the progressive congressional group known as “the Squad,” including U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, Rashida Tlaib. D-Minn., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

While Stevens and El-Sayed share some progressive positions, including support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, El-Sayed has embraced a broader slate of left-wing policies, including Medicare for all and a wealth tax on billionaires.

“It’s not radical to believe everybody in the richest, most powerful country in the world should have healthcare,” El-Sayed said Monday. “It’s not radical to believe we shouldn’t send our money abroad to bomb people when we need money for our schools here. It’s not radical to believe corporations shouldn’t be able to buy politicians.”

Despite trailing in some recent polling, Stevens received an endorsement on Monday from Peters, showing her continued support from the Democrat Party’s establishment.

“I’m all in for Haley Stevens,” Peters said in his endorsement announcement.

“Thank you Senator Peters,” Stevens responded. “I’m honored to have your support, and I look forward to carrying on your fight to protect and defend Michigan in the Senate!”

Until recently, Stevens had been polling better than El-Sayed in a match-up against Rogers. That changed in recent polls though, with El-Sayed showing 45% support to Stevens’ 44.3% support against Rogers – who was trailing both Democrats.

The race is drawing national attention as Michigan remains one of the country’s most politically divided battleground states.

In 2024, the state’s U.S. Senate race was decided by less than half a percentage point, with U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeating Rogers. On the Republican side, the party leadership and funding is once again rallying around Rogers.

The outcome of Michigan’s Senate race will play a role in determining which party controls the 120th Congress.

Of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, 33 are up for regular election in 2026, along with two special elections. Democrats currently hold 13 of the seats on the ballot, while Republicans hold 22.