Abdul El-Sayed Stuns Democratic Establishment, Wins Michigan Senate Primary

Former public health official Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's Democratic primary for the US Senate in a major victory for the party's progressive wing. He narrowly defeated Congresswoman Haley Stevens after one of the most expensive Senate primaries in US history, setting up a high stakes November race against Republican Mike Rogers.

With more than 1.5 million votes counted, El-Sayed won by fewer than one percentage point. The Associated Press declared him the winner after officials confirmed there were not enough votes left for Stevens to close the gap.

El-Sayed, backed by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and other progressive leaders, ran on Medicare for All, campaign finance reform, lower corporate influence in politics, and ending US military aid to Israel. Speaking to supporters, he said, "In the words of Muhammad Ali, we shook up the world."

The race drew more than USD 70 million in outside spending, making it the costliest Democratic Senate primary on record. Pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC alone spent over USD 30 million to support Stevens, but El-Sayed's grassroots campaign still came out on top.

Stevens conceded soon after the result and endorsed El-Sayed, calling on Democrats to unite for the general election. The Michigan contest is seen as one of the key races that could decide control of the US Senate. If he wins in November, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.