Leftist El-Sayed narrowly wins high-profile Michigan Democratic Senate primary

The Democratic Party's progressive wing scored a high-profile victory when Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's US Senate primary, US media projected on Wednesday, giving its anti-establishment message ​a boost ‌ahead of November's midterm elections. With 99% of the estimated votes counted as of 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) on Wednesday, El-Sayed was leading Stevens ‌48.5% to 47.5%, according to the Associated Press. The AP and CNN both called the race for El-Sayed, hours after NBC News did ⁠the same. El-Sayed, whose message focused on ⁠healthcare, the economy and an end to unconditional military aid to Israel, was the first progressive to win a ‌statewide primary in a state that President Donald Trump carried in 2024. To display this content from X (Twitter), you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. "Money out of politics. Money in your pocket. Medicare for All," El-Sayed wrote on X early on Wednesday, declaring victory. Tuesday's ⁠vote, billed as a defining test of the party's direction, became an election-night cliffhanger before US media projected early on Wednesday that El-Sayed ​had narrowly prevailed over US Representative Haley Stevens, a moderate supported ‌by Democratic leaders and pro-Israel groups. Stevens called El-Sayed to concede Wednesday, and she issued a statement saying she would back El-Sayed’s candidacy. “I am proud to offer my support as he takes on Mike Rogers in the general election,” she said. Stevens added, “This was a thorough and rigorous campaign that brought out the full span of views within the Democratic Party — and that is why we have primaries.” The race served as a battleground between progressives and moderates over support for Israel, an issue that has played out in primaries nationwide ‌this year. But unlike contests in liberal bastions, this was a statewide race in a Midwestern swing state for ​a seat Democrats must win if they have any hopes of securing a Senate majority in November. Read moreUS Democrats divided over support for Israel ahead of midterm elections Stevens benefited from tens of millions of dollars in ​spending by a pro-Israel super PAC, and her supporters argued she was the more ​electable candidate in the general election, when she ​will face Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative. Analysts had said one significant factor in El-Sayed's favor was that Michigan ​is home to some of the country's largest Arab American communities, where hostility to Israel runs deep. The result is likely to be scrutinized by prospective 2028 presidential contenders searching for a message to reconnect with voters after the party's loss ⁠to Trump in the 2024 presidential election. El-Sayed's victory could intensify debate within Democratic ranks over the political ⁠appeal of economic ​populism, anti-establishment campaigning and a tougher approach towards Israel. (FRANCE 24 with Reuters)