Bernie Sanders campaigns for Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate primary, intensifying Democratic establishment vs. progressive divide

At the Detroit rally, Sanders framed the Michigan primary not as a contest between El-Sayed and Stevens, but as a conflict between El-Sayed and what he described as the "billionaire class." Sanders said outside groups have already spent $50 million against El-Sayed and portrayed the spending imbalance as evidence of powerful interests opposing the progressive candidate. According to AdImpact data cited by Fox News, super PACs backing Stevens spent approximately $26.9 million on TV ads during the final five weeks of the primary, compared with roughly $2.1 million backing El-Sayed — a ratio Sanders characterized as 12-to-1.

The Michigan Senate race has become a focal point of broader tensions between the Democratic Party's progressive and establishment wings. El-Sayed, a physician and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate, has campaigned on "Medicare for All" and has been critical of Israel and AIPAC; CNN described him as "a darling of the progressive left." Stevens, who has represented Michigan's 11th Congressional District since 2019 and served on the Obama administration's auto industry task force, is presenting herself as the more electable candidate in a general election against Rogers.

The race tightened after state Sen. Mallory McMorrow ended her campaign earlier this month, leaving a two-person contest. CNN reported the primary is seen as neck and neck ahead of the August 4 vote, and that Democrats in Washington are "particularly nervous" about El-Sayed's position. Sen. Peters, who holds the seat and had been expected to stay neutral, decided last week to endorse Stevens, according to a person familiar with the discussions cited by CNN.