How Abdul El-Sayed’s ‘extraordinary’ win stunned pro-Israel establishment
Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated incumbent Haley Stevens in the Michigan Democratic primary for the US Senate. The victory occurred despite significant campaign spending by AIPAC and opposition from Democratic party leadership.
Why it matters
The result highlights a growing rift within the Democratic Party regarding Israel-Palestine policy and the influence of special-interest spending in primary elections.
Michigan progressive fended off AIPAC as well as Democratic establishment in US Senate race, supporters say.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Abdul El-Sayed, winner of the Michigan Democratic primary for the US Senate, speaks during a news conference in Detroit on August 5 [Rebecca Cook/Reuters] By Ali Harb Published On 6 Aug 2026 6 Aug 2026 Detroit, Michigan – The sighs in the audience were audible as United States Congresswoman Haley Stevens closed in on Abdul El-Sayed’s lead in the Michigan Democratic primary for the US Senate.
El-Sayed, a public health advocate, took the stage after midnight as uncertainty had dampened the once-celebratory mood among supporters in Detroit early on Wednesday.
“I wish I could tell you that I was declaring victory right about now. It turns out it takes a long time to count some votes in Michigan. It’s a big state,” he joked.
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