Democratic primary elections in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are serving as a test case for whether progressive candidates can win in competitive states. In Michigan and Wisconsin, these contests are testing whether growing criticism of US support for Israel and backing for Palestinian rights can lead to electoral success for progressive candidates.
Michigan Senate and Congressional races
In Michigan, physician and former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed is seeking the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters. El-Sayed, who has described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, has argued that the US should end military aid and arms sales to Israel. An El-Sayed victory would make him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The Democratic nominee in this race will face former Republican Representative Mike Rogers in November.
Representative Haley Stevens has described herself as a 'proud pro-Israel Democrat,' arguing her record makes her the strongest candidate to retain the battleground Senate seat for Democrats in November. Groups supporting Stevens have spent more than $50 million, including over $30 million from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and affiliated organizations.
In Michigan's open 11th Congressional District, attorney and former prosecutor Aisha Farooqi is competing against state Senator Jeremy Moss, former Ford executive Don Ufford, and school board member John Paul Torres. Farooqi's platform includes Medicare for All, universal childcare, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Farooqi has described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and pledged not to accept campaign contributions from AIPAC, its affiliated organizations, or other special-interest political action committees. 'My allegiance belongs to the American people, not foreign interests,' Farooqi said.
State Senator Jeremy Moss has denied receiving backing from AIPAC and accused opponents of mischaracterizing donations from Jewish constituents as part of a political conspiracy. As of July 15, Farooqi raised approximately $421,000, while Moss raised roughly $1.49 million.
Wisconsin gubernatorial contest
In Wisconsin, state Representative Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, is a leading candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary scheduled for Aug. 11. Hong, a former chef and the first Asian American elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, is facing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as her principal rival.
Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes withdrew from the Wisconsin gubernatorial race after Hong moved ahead in recent polling. Hong has described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and called for the repeal of a Wisconsin law that bars state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel.
92,000 USD
Amount raised by Francesca Hong following appearances with commentators Hasan Piker and Michael Beyer.
Shifting American perspectives
Shifting public opinion provides context for these races. A Pew Research Center survey found that favorable views of the Israeli government fell from 41% to 32%. Additionally, a Pew Research Center survey found that 42% of Americans viewed Israelis unfavorably, compared with 28% in 2019.
According to an AP-NORC poll, 40% of Americans believe Washington is too supportive of Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians, up from 27% before Oct. 7, 2023. Among Democrats, 58% believe Washington is too supportive of Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians.
Updates
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have thrown their support behind Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Meanwhile, late polling in the same race shows mixed signals, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead while others indicate a close race or show Representative Haley Stevens leading. In Wisconsin, State Representative Francesca Hong noted that her campaign will serve as a test for whether progressive politics can succeed outside of heavily Democratic urban districts.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have come out in support of Abdul El-Sayed. Meanwhile, late polling for the race presents mixed signals, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead while others indicate a close contest or favor US Representative Haley Stevens. Additionally, Wisconsin State Representative Francesca Hong noted that her campaign will serve as a test for whether progressive politics can succeed beyond heavily Democratic urban districts.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have announced their support for Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Meanwhile, El-Sayed has claimed that the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent. Recent polling regarding the Michigan primary shows mixed signals, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead while others suggest a close race or a lead for Representative Haley Stevens.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have expressed support for Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Meanwhile, El-Sayed claims the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent. Recent polling in the Michigan primary shows mixed signals, with conflicting data placing El-Sayed ahead, Haley Stevens in front, or suggesting a very close race.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have voiced support for candidate Abdul El-Sayed. While El-Sayed's campaign faces accusations of antisemitic tendencies and criticism regarding his radicalism, El-Sayed claims the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent. Recent polling for the primary shows mixed signals, with results fluctuating between an El-Sayed lead, a close race, and Haley Stevens being in front.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have announced their support for Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Meanwhile, El-Sayed's campaign claims that the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent. Recent polling for the Michigan primary shows mixed signals, with results alternating between El-Sayed leading, a close race, or Haley Stevens being in front.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have announced their support for Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Meanwhile, late polling in the race shows mixed results, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead, others indicating a close contest, and some showing Representative Haley Stevens in the lead. Additionally, El-Sayed claims the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent, focusing primarily on Stevens' manufacturing record.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are supporting Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, where El-Sayed claims the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros via affiliated groups to favor his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens. While some late polling shows mixed signals regarding the leader, El-Sayed's campaign frames the contest as a battle between grassroots supporters and wealthy special interests. Meanwhile, Stevens has denied dependence on AIPAC, stating her support for a two-state solution.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are supporting Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Additionally, El-Sayed claims the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, whose campaign has focused largely on her manufacturing record. Recent polling in Michigan shows mixed signals, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead, others indicating a close race, and some placing Stevens in the lead.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have announced their support for Abdul El-Sayed, while recent polling shows conflicting results ranging from El-Sayed leading to Haley Stevens being in front. Meanwhile, El-Sayed claims that the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent. Stevens has denied being dependent on AIPAC, stating instead her support for a two-state solution.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have announced their support for Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Meanwhile, polling for the race shows mixed signals, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead while others indicate a close contest or favor Representative Haley Stevens. Additionally, El-Sayed claims that the pro-Israel lobby organization AIPAC has spent approximately 26 million euros through affiliated groups to support his opponent.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed holds a 48.5% to 47.5% lead over Representative Haley Stevens with 96% of the votes counted, leading NBC to call the race for El-Sayed despite AP and CNN not yet doing so. Additionally, the progressive wing saw further victories in Michigan downballot races, including the nomination of a Sunrise Movement co-founder for the 7th Congressional District and a DSA member leading in a Democratic primary for a state representative seat.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed leads four-term US Representative Haley Stevens with 48.5% to 47.5% as 96% of votes have been counted. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet declared a winner. Additionally, progressive victories were noted in other Michigan races, including Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence winning the Democratic nomination for Michigan's 7th Congressional District and DSA member Donavan McKinney leading Shri Thanedar with 51.6% to 48.4% in a Democratic primary.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed leads Representative Haley Stevens 48.5% to 47.5% with 96% of the vote counted, prompting NBC to call the race for El-Sayed despite AP and CNN not yet doing so. Additionally, progressive wins were seen in other Michigan races, including Will Lawrence securing the Democratic nomination for Michigan's 7th Congressional District and Donavan McKinney leading Shri Thanedar 51.6% to 48.4%.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed leads four-term Representative Haley Stevens 48.5% to 47.5% with 96% of the votes counted. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet made a determination despite the dwindling number of ballots. Additionally, the left saw further victories in Michigan downballot races, including a DSA member ousting an incumbent state representative and the nomination of an Uncommitted Movement co-founder in a state senate race.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed leads Haley Stevens 48.5% to 47.5% with 96% of the vote counted, prompting NBC to call the race for El-Sayed while AP and CNN have not yet done so. El-Sayed has secured endorsements from Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whereas Stevens received support from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Gary Peters. Additionally, progressive victories were noted in other Michigan races, including Will Lawrence winning the Democratic nomination for Michigan's 7th Congressional District and Donavan McKinney leading in a Democratic primary for a state representative seat.
In the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed holds a 48.5% to 47.5% lead over Representative Haley Stevens with 96% of the votes counted, a race that NBC has called for El-Sayed while AP and CNN have yet to do so. El-Sayed has secured endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Stevens is backed by Gary Peters, Gretchen Whitmer, Chuck Schumer, and James Clyburn. Additionally, the primary saw other progressive wins, such as Will Lawrence securing the Democratic nomination for Michigan's 7th Congressional District and Donavan McKinney leading in his Democratic primary.
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, defeating Representative Haley Stevens by approximately 14,000 votes or one percentage point. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet done so despite 96% of the votes being counted. In other Michigan races, Will Lawrence won the Democratic nomination for the 7th Congressional District by 15 points, and Donavan McKinney leads Shri Thanedar 51.6% to 48.4% in a Democratic primary.
Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by approximately 14,000 votes, securing a one-percentage-point victory over Representative Haley Stevens. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet done so, and both candidates noted that vote counting could extend into Wednesday. Following the results, mainstream Democrats including Stevens and Chuck Schumer issued statements congratulating El-Sayed and urging party unity for the general election.
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by approximately 14,000 votes, securing a victory over Rep. Haley Stevens despite $70 million in outside spending against him. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet done so, and both candidates noted that the vote counting process could continue into Wednesday. Following the results, mainstream Democrats including Chuck Schumer and Stevens issued statements congratulating El-Sayed and urging party unity for the general election.
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by approximately 14,000 votes, securing a one-percentage-point lead over Representative Haley Stevens. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet done so, and both candidates noted that the vote counting process could continue into Wednesday. Following his victory, mainstream Democrats including Stevens and Chuck Schumer issued statements congratulating El-Sayed and urging party unity for the general election.
Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by approximately 14,000 votes, maintaining a narrow lead over Rep. Haley Stevens as the final results emerged. While NBC called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet officially declared a winner despite the majority of votes being counted. Following the primary, Stevens, Chuck Schumer, and other mainstream Democrats issued statements congratulating El-Sayed and urging party unity for the general election.
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by approximately 14,000 votes, or roughly one percentage point, over Representative Haley Stevens. While NBC has called the race for El-Sayed, AP and CNN have not yet done so, even as both candidates noted that vote counting could continue into Wednesday. Following the results, mainstream Democrats including Haley Stevens and Chuck Schumer issued statements congratulating El-Sayed and urging party unity for the general election.
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet confirmed the result; El-Sayed, backed by Sanders, Warren, and Ocasio-Cortez, triumphed despite over $32 million in AIPAC-funded ads against him, and in his victory speech declared, 'the power of our money is greater than the power of their money,' while Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and El-Sayed responded to antisemitism accusations by affirming, 'My commitment to the safety of Jewish people is the same as my commitment to the saf
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet confirmed the result; his victory, fueled by grassroots support and a $70 million opposition spending campaign led by AIPAC, is being framed as a landmark test of progressive electability in a swing state, with El-Sayed declaring, 'The power of our money is greater than the power of their money,' while Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and El-Sayed rejected antisemitism accusations by affirming, 'My commitment to the safety of Jewish人们
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet confirmed the result; El-Sayed’s victory, fueled by grassroots support and opposed by over $32 million in AIPAC-backed spending, marks a significant win for progressive candidates in a swing state, while President Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and critics continue to dispute his stance on Israel, to which El-Sayed responded: 'My commitment to the safety of Jewish people is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet done so despite the minimal remaining ballots; El-Sayed’s victory, backed by progressive leaders including Sanders, Warren, and Ocasio-Cortez, comes after AIPAC spent over $32 million opposing him, and he declared in his speech that 'the power of our money is greater than the power of their money,' while President Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and accused him of antisemitism, to which El-Sayed responded: 'My commitment to theSafety
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet done so despite the dwindling number of remaining ballots; El-Sayed’s victory, backed by Sanders, Warren, and Ocasio-Cortez, comes after AIPAC spent over $32 million opposing him, and he declared in his speech that 'the power of our money is greater than the power of their money,' while Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and he responded to antisemitism accusations by affirming, 'My commitment to the safety of Jewish people is the same为
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet confirmed the result; El-Sayed, backed by Sanders, Warren, and Ocasio-Cortez, defeated a candidate supported by Schumer, Peters, and Whitmer, and claimed victory over $70 million in outside spending, while AIPAC reportedly spent over $32 million against him, and Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' — a claim El-Sayed countered by affirming his commitment to Jewish safety as he is to his own daughters.
Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a narrow margin of approximately 14,000 votes — roughly one percentage point — over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC has called the race for him, though AP and CNN have not yet confirmed the result; his victory, fueled by grassroots support and $70 million in opposing spending — including over $32 million from AIPAC — is being framed as a defining moment for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, with endorsements from Sanders, Warren, and Ocasio-Cortez, while Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and critics accused him of antisemitism, to which he responded: 'My commitment to the safety of Jewishpeople
Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary by a 14,000-vote margin—roughly one percentage point—over Rep. Haley Stevens, with 96% of votes counted, and NBC declared him the winner, though AP and CNN have not yet called the race; his victory, fueled by grassroots support and $70 million in opposition spending largely from AIPAC, has been hailed as a defining test of progressive electability in a swing state, while President Trump labeled him a 'Communist loser' and accused him of hating Jewish people, to which El-Sayed responded: 'My commitment to the safety of Jewish people is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters.'
