Establishment Democrats and media turn on Abdul El-Sayed after Michigan Senate primary win

Aug 06, 2026

A progressive win in Michigan has set off a backlash from establishment Democrats, pro-Israel donors, and national media — bad for party unity, but framed here as proof the establishment would rather lose than back a progressive.

  • El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, and now parts of his own party are working to sink him in the general election.
  • Some big pro-Israel donors say they'll cross over and back Republican Mike Rogers, arguing loyalty to Israel matters more than party.
  • CNN and other outlets are pushing betting-market odds that show El-Sayed's chances dropping — but 59% is still a clear favorite, and the drop reflects a closer-than-expected primary, not voters rejecting him.
  • Groups like Third Way plan to spend $15 million attacking progressive candidates, and centrist Democrats privately say they don't want El-Sayed to win.
  • The counter-argument: heavy outside spending and Islamophobia may be backfiring and boosting El-Sayed with independents.

Outlook: Michigan's Senate race is shaping up as a test of whether progressives can win a swing state despite opposition from their own party's establishment.

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