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Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary in major victory for Democrats' progressive wing

Associated Press · back to the audit
DETROIT (AP) — Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, defeating U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in a massive victory for the party's progressive wing in a battleground state.

El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination, in November. The seat is pivotal to Democrats' hopes of flipping the Senate; Democrats consider it a must-win. Republicans have already reserved large sums for the general election.

The race remained tight through Tuesday night, with a winner not declared until Wednesday morning. Stevens called Wednesday to concede.

In his final remarks at a primary night party before the race was called, El-Sayed said "tomorrow we begin to mend fences."

Stevens called El-Sayed to concede Wednesday, and she issued a statement saying she would back El-Sayed's candidacy. She said: "I am proud to offer my support as he takes on Mike Rogers in the general election."

"Now comes the more difficult challenge for Democrats: uniting the party to defeat Rogers, for whom Republicans have already reserved large sums of money ahead of the general election."

Stevens "stressed her past victories in tough races, saying she would be best positioned to beat Rogers."

"Those stakes have added heat to the rivalry, with moderates arguing that El-Sayed would have a harder time than Stevens against a Republican in the general election."

El-Sayed cast himself as the anti-establishment candidate and argued that Democrats need to reject corporate influence and embrace a more progressive agenda. "He has said he is not a democratic socialist."

Stevens benefited from tens of millions of dollars in outside spending, including the largest investment in a race ever from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which supports pro-Israel candidates. "Groups backing Stevens spent more than $50 million, led by more than $30 million from AIPAC and its affiliates."