El-Sayed-Stevens race tests Democrats' ways
Washington: Polls began closing in Michigan on Tuesday in a Democratic U.S. Senate primary that has emerged as one of the clearest tests yet of
Washington: Polls began closing in Michigan on Tuesday in a Democratic U.S. Senate primary that has emerged as one of the clearest tests yet of the direction of the Democratic Party ahead of the 2028 presidential race.The contest pits Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official who has called for ending unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, against U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, a moderate backed by Democratic leaders and pro-Israel groups.Polls began closing at 8 p.m. ET (0000 GMT) and will continue closing across the state for another hour.The race is the latest battleground between progressives and moderates over U.S. support for Israel, an issue that has played out in primaries nationwide this year. But unlike contests in liberal bastions, this is a statewide race in a critical Midwestern swing state ahead of November's midterms - a seat Democrats must win in the fight for Senate control.The outcome could offer the clearest signal yet of whether Democratic voters are more receptive to an anti-establishment message hostile to Israel and big money in politics, or a more moderate approach supportive of Israel, according to analysts and party strategists interviewed by Reuters.Frank Lowenstein, a former special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations under President Barack Obama, said the primary was a bellwether for Democrats' ideological future and could shape how their 2028 presidential candidates approach relations with Israel."This will help inform them about how tough to be on Israel," he said.
"It's teed up to be a pretty clear choice."Israel's favorability rating among Democrats fell from 59% in 2018 to 22% in May, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.But the primary is also a test of broader voter frustrations over economic concerns and the party establishment, Democratic strategists said.An El-Sayed win would underscore the anger fueling demand for new leadership - and the appeal of his call to reinvest taxpayer dollars at home rather than in Israel's war in Gaza.A Stevens win would signal she made her case despite anti-establishment headwinds, with economic concerns and the desire to beat Republicans outweighing Israel."Either way, Democratic leaders shouldn't ignore the anger at the status quo fueling El-Sayed's campaign or assume a Stevens win lets the party off the hook," Democratic strategist Karen Finney said.Voters in Michigan, Virginia and Washington state will also be deciding on U.S. House candidates in Democratic primaries on Tuesday, including a handful that could decide if the party retakes the lower chamber. Four of those races are considered general election toss-ups.In two Virginia districts expected to be competitive in November, Democrats nominated former U.S. Representative Elaine Luria and Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor.PROGRESSIVES AND MODERATES TAKE SIDESThe winner of the Senate primary will face former Republican Representative Mike Rogers, a vocal supporter of Israel in a state President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2024.El-Sayed has been endorsed by and held rallies with two high-profile progressives: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.Analysts say one significant factor in his favor is that Michigan is home to some of the country's largest Arab American communities, where hostility to Israel runs deep.Recent polls show El-Sayed leading by an average of 8 percentage points, although one Detroit News survey in early July had Stevens up by 7 percentage points.El-Sayed supports progressive causes like universal healthcare, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and getting corporate money out of politics.
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