Abdul El-Sayed holds narrow lead in Michigan Democratic Senate primary
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed held a narrow lead over Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic primary for the US Senate on Tuesday, with the race remaining too close to call hours after polls closed.
Addressing supporters at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit, El-Sayed said the campaign had exceeded turnout expectations despite votes still being counted.
"I wish I could tell you that I was declaring victory right about now," El-Sayed said. "Turns out it takes a long time to count some votes in Michigan. It's a big state."
"But I will tell you this," he continued. "Right now, we are on track to vastly outvote the historical numbers that we should have expected."
El-Sayed also told supporters that his campaign was "walking into the rest of this evening with a three-point lead," while acknowledging that the vote count was still underway.
"As folks ask, if and when we win this race, how are you going to beat Mike Rogers and their money? I want you to remind them that if we come through this, when we come through this, inshallah," he said.
Referring to the millions of dollars spent during the campaign, El-Sayed added: "Taking $70 million on the chin and kept fighting back."
The winner of the primary will face former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in November for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.
The race has become one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries of the election cycle, pitting El-Sayed, who is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, against centrist Haley Stevens, who is supported by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
- Aid to 'Israel' -
The contest has also underscored divisions within the Democratic Party over US policy toward 'Israel'.
El-Sayed has called for ending unconditional US military aid to 'Israel', criticized the influence of the American 'Israel' Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and said 'Israel' should not exist specifically as a Jewish state.
Stevens has defended continued US military support for 'Israel' and rejected accusations that 'Israel' has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Michigan is expected to play a pivotal role in determining control of the US Senate in the November midterm elections, making the Democratic primary one of the most consequential races of the election cycle.
