# Progressive El-Sayed defeats AIPAC-backed incumbent in Michigan primary 2026-08-06T14:33:36+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Abdul El-Sayed, a 41-year-old epidemiologist and Rhodes Scholar, won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary on August 6th, defeating six-term incumbent Haley Stevens by fewer than 15,000 votes. Outside groups supporting Stevens, including the AIPAC-directed United Democracy Project, spent over $60 million, while El-Sayed raised only $3.5 million. El-Sayed, who would be the first Muslim in the U.S. Senate, campaigned on Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, ending U.S. military funding for Israel, and regulating campaign finance. He also opposed Big Tech data centres over high electricity rates and pollution. The Hindu reports that a Pew survey found 80% of Democrats now view Israel unfavourably, up from 53% in 2022. El-Sayed, who served as Detroit’s health commissioner at 30 and later as Wayne County health director, lost the 2018 gubernatorial primary to Gretchen Whitmer. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com - thehindu.com Tags: Democratic Party, Democratic Socialism, DSA, United States, US elections Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/us-democratic-socialists-gain-ground-in-democratic-primaries/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/us-democratic-socialists-gain-ground-in-democratic-primaries/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.