Democrats are fighting each other over the midterms as Bernie Sanders backs progressive challengers against the party establishment.
Bernie Sanders and the progressive wing are clashing with Hakeem Jeffries and establishment Democrats over primary endorsements — good news for progressives, bad news for the party's old guard.
- Sanders backed a progressive challenger over a conservative Black Caucus incumbent, and Jeffries called him to warn him off, but Sanders wouldn't budge.
- Sanders has endorsed more than 90 candidates this cycle, and 42 of the first 60 to hold elections have won — over two-thirds.
- Establishment Democrats say his primary fights waste money that should go against Republicans, and are using candidate Graham Platner's exit to question his judgment.
- Two Michigan races are the big test: progressive Abdul El-Sayed vs. pro-Israel moderate Haley Stevens for Senate, plus a three-way House race.
- Israel is a real dividing line — El-Sayed's supporters say they won't vote for Stevens, who is openly pro-Israel, in the general.
Outlook: Michigan's late-summer primaries will signal whether the progressive surge keeps rolling or the establishment holds the line.