Public health advocate Abdul El-Sayed has secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan, narrowly defeating Congresswoman Haley Stevens in a race that saw record spending by pro-Israel groups.
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive public health official of Egyptian descent, has won the Democratic primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat, defeating incumbent Congresswoman Haley Stevens by approximately one percentage point after most ballots were counted.
The contest attracted significant national attention and unprecedented spending levels. According to NewsWire, pro-Israel groups, particularly the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), spent over $30 million supporting Stevens, contributing to a total campaign spend exceeding $60 million. El-Sayed's victory came despite this substantial financial disadvantage.
El-Sayed's campaign centered on progressive priorities including healthcare expansion, housing affordability, and infrastructure development. He has been critical of U.S. military spending abroad, characterizing Israel's military operations in Gaza as genocide and advocating for redirecting resources toward domestic needs.
Stevens conceded the race following the results and subsequently endorsed El-Sayed. Michigan's Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Gary Peters also voiced support for El-Sayed in the general election. If elected in November, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate. He will face Republican Mike Rogers in what is expected to be a competitive general election race with implications for Senate control during President Donald Trump's administration. Trump responded to the primary result on social media, characterizing El-Sayed's victory as favorable for Republicans.
