Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed is projected to win Michigan's Democratic primary for the US Senate, narrowly defeating moderate Representative Haley Stevens in one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm election cycle.
With more than 95% of ballots counted early Wednesday, El-Sayed held a slim lead of 48.6% to 47.3%. The Associated Press has not officially called the race.
Multiple outlets described the contest as too close to call after El-Sayed was projected as the winner.
The victory sets up a high-stakes November showdown against Republican Mike Rogers, who secured his party's nomination after running virtually unopposed with the backing of President Donald Trump.
Addressing supporters after midnight, El-Sayed stopped short of declaring victory but expressed confidence in the outcome, saying the lengthy vote count reflected strong turnout for the progressive movement.
"I wish I could tell you that I was declaring victory right about now," he said.
Despite a hard-fought primary, El-Sayed urged Democrats to unite ahead of the general election.
"However much we might disagree with our Democratic opponent, there is so much more that unites us than divides us," he said. "Tomorrow we begin to mend fences."
He also turned his attention to Republican rival Mike Rogers, declaring: "I know you're listening, Mike. Mike, we are coming for you."
Framing the election as a broader political movement, El-Sayed told supporters, "What we can do is build the next 250."
Representative Haley Stevens acknowledged the race's razor-thin margin and told supporters the final outcome could take time.
"We knew that this was going to be a close race, and that's exactly what we've got -- a close race," she said, noting that votes were still being counted in Detroit, Flint, Muskegon County and Macomb County.
Looking ahead to November, Stevens urged Democrats to stay energized, reviving her campaign slogan.
"We got to wake up and be ready to go because if we are going to win this thing, which we are, we are going to have to get ready and show Mike Rogers what a little stick it to 'em looks like," she said.
She accused Rogers of wanting to "keep the Senate red" and alleged Republicans wanted him to return to Washington to "sell us out to the highest bidder."
The Michigan Senate primary exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party between its progressive and establishment wings.
El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director backed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, campaigned as a working-class progressive willing to challenge corporations, Democratic Party leaders and pro-Israel donors.
Stevens, a four-term congresswoman representing Detroit's suburbs, emphasized her legislative experience, support for manufacturing and general election electability. Her campaign was backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, retiring Senator Gary Peters, former Senator Debbie Stabenow and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Stevens also argued that opinion polls underestimated her support among Black voters, older Democrats and voters without college degrees.
One of the sharpest divisions between the candidates centered on US policy toward Israel.
Stevens defended continued American military support for Israel and rejected accusations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
El-Sayed called for ending unconditional US military aid to Israel, criticized the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and argued that Israel should not exist specifically as a Jewish state.
The candidates also clashed over the broader Middle East conflict, with El-Sayed accusing Stevens of being influenced by pro-Israel lobbying groups, while Stevens blamed President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the war with Iran.
The Michigan contest is considered one of the most consequential Senate races of the 2026 midterm elections.
The seat is being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, making it one of Democrats' best opportunities to defend an open seat in a battleground state.
Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to regain control of the chamber. Losing Michigan would significantly complicate that path.
Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.