Abdul El-Sayed projected to win Michigan Democratic Senate primary

Aug. 5 (UPI) — Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is projected to win the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan over Rep. Haley Stevens.

The final votes are being tallied on Wednesday and El-Sayed has a percentage point edge with 99% of ballots counted. The victory will send El-Sayed on to face Republican Mike Rogers in November’s midterm.

El-Sayed, formerly a public health official, is running for a seat left vacant by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who is retiring. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate.

El-Sayed has been endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. His primary win marks another for progressive Democrats, a wing of the party that has found increasing success of late.

About $65 million in funding was raised outside of Michigan to support Stevens. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also endorsed Stevens.

The open Michigan Senate seat is one of the crucial appointments in battleground states heading into November. Democrats hope to flip four Republican seats to gain a majority in the Senate but they must also maintain their grip on the seats they currently hold.

Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate.

El-Sayed’s campaign platform has called for policies including Medicare for All while voicing criticism of the Israeli government over its military operations in Gaza.