Public health official Abdul El-Sayed defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the early hours of Wednesday, Aug. 5, after a close race between the candidates in Michigan's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
The primary pitted establishment Democrat Stevens and progressive candidate El-Sayed in one of the most closely watched races in the country. El-Sayed will now face former Congressman Mike Rogers in November's general election, in what many pundits expect to be a highly competitive contest.
El-Sayed's victory comes after record spending from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and its affiliates to back Stevens' campaign. Stevens also received the support of multiple prominent state and national Democrats, including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and House Democrat James Clyborn.
Progressive leader and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned alongside El-Sayed throughout his primary candidacy.
El-Sayed's campaign has focused on increased healthcare access through Medicare for All. His platform also highlights political reforms, including banning corporate and special interest money in politics, abolishing the filibuster, and ending gerrymandering; taxes on billionaire wealth, and job and trade reforms.
Read more: Meet the candidates running for U.S. Senate in Michigan - The Eastern Echo
In 2013, El-Sayed rebuilt Detroit's Health Department after the city's bankruptcy. He is the co-author of "Medicare for All: A Citizens Guide." El-Sayed previously ran for Michigan governor in the 2018 Democratic primary, losing to Whitmer.
