According to official results, Abdul El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel who refuses to recognize its right to exist as a Jewish state, won the Democratic primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat, defeating incumbent Representative Haley Stevens, a prominent pro-Israel Democrat, by a narrow margin of less than 15,000 votes.
Official results confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and vocal critic of Israel, defeated incumbent Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat. The race was extraordinarily close, with El-Sayed prevailing by fewer than 15,000 votes out of more than 750,000 cast, according to the Associated Press.
El-Sayed, who has refused to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and has compared the country to Hamas, will now be the Democratic nominee in the November general election. His victory marks a significant shift in Michigan's Democratic politics, as the state has a sizable Jewish population and a history of strong pro-Israel sentiment within the party.
The primary was held on Tuesday, August 4, with voting closed at 21:00 Jerusalem time. Initial projections from NBC News and CNN on Wednesday morning showed El-Sayed leading, and the final tally was confirmed by AP late Wednesday afternoon. The tight race drew national attention, with Stevens backed by AIPAC and El-Sayed supported by progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
El-Sayed's victory continues a pattern of anti-Israel candidates winning Democratic primaries in 2026, following similar wins in New York, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. The outcome raises questions about the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship as the Democratic Party's progressive wing gains influence. The general election in November will determine whether Michigan, a key swing state, sends a vocal critic of Israel to the Senate.
9 developments
- DevelopingTed Cruz comments on Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan Senate nomination
- DevelopingRashida Tlaib won Democratic primary in Michigan's 12th district
- DevelopingAbdul El-Sayed refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist, compares it to Hamas
- StrongProgressive candidate wins Michigan Democratic primary; Trump calls him 'hater of Israel'
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