El-Sayed Leads Michigan Senate Primary Despite AIPAC's $30M Opposition
Progressive epidemiologist Abdul El-Sayed appeared poised to secure the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Michigan, even with more than $30 million in external funding from AIPAC and other groups. While NBC announced him as the winner, the Associated Press reported the contest as too close to determine, with El-Sayed ahead of US Rep. Haley Stevens by approximately 21,000 votes. He expressed pride in the movement he sparked, highlighting that his opponents outspent him by an $11 to $1 ratio. A win for El-Sayed would represent a significant setback for AIPAC, which invested over $30 million, marking this as the priciest Democratic primary in US history. Other progressive candidates also had strong showings in Michigan.
Key facts
- Abdul El-Sayed was on track to win the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Michigan.
- El-Sayed overcame over $30 million in outside spending by AIPAC and other special interests.
- NBC declared El-Sayed the winner, but the Associated Press said the race was too close to call with over 90% of ballots counted.
- El-Sayed led US Rep. Haley Stevens by roughly 21,000 votes, or just over one percentage point.
- El-Sayed's opponents spent $70 million and outspent his campaign $11 to $1.
- AIPAC spent over $30 million to defeat El-Sayed, accounting for nearly half of all outside spending in the race.
- The race was the most expensive Democratic primary in US history.
- The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November.
- William Lawrence won the Democratic primary in Michigan's 7th Congressional District.
- Donavan McKinney led Shri Thanedar in the 13th District with over 70% of the vote counted.
Entities
Artists
- Abdul El-Sayed
- Haley Stevens
- Mike Rogers
- William Lawrence
- Donavan McKinney
- Shri Thanedar
- Margaret DeReus
Institutions
- AIPAC
- IMEU Policy Project
- RootsAction
- NBC
- Associated Press
- Common Dreams
Locations
- Michigan
- United States