Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Democratic Senate primary over AIPAC-backed Haley Stevens

Aug 05, 2026

Progressive Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, a big win for the left and a rare defeat for the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.

  • El-Sayed beat Haley Stevens by about one point despite roughly $62 million in outside spending against him in the primary.
  • AIPAC and pro-Israel groups poured in the bulk of that money, much of it from Republican donors, but still lost.
  • El-Sayed ran on cutting off military and financial aid to Israel and refused to back down under attacks.
  • Other progressives also won in Michigan, including Donovan McKinney, who unseated incumbent Shri Thanedar.

Outlook: El-Sayed now faces Republican Mike Rogers in a tough general election in a swing state, where the pro-Israel lobby is expected to spend even more.

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