The Democratic establishment has been dealt a major blow as left-wing progressive Abdul El-Sayed has emerged victorious in the primary election for Michigan's Senate seat.
El-Sayed's win marks a significant upset, as he defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in a contentious and expensive primary that saw big money and attacks on his Democratic Socialist leanings dominate the campaign.
The face-off against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in November is a must-win contest for Democrats, who are looking to retain their narrow majority in the Senate.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former Wayne County health director, has made "Medicare for All" a major component of his campaign and has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ending U.S. aid to Israel.
His victory has been met with both enthusiasm and concern from Democrats, with some praising his progressive policies and others worrying about his ability to win in a general election.
El-Sayed has already begun reaching out to Stevens' voters, urging party unity and taking aim at Rogers, who he says will do the bidding of large corporations.
The primary was the most expensive in Democratic Senate nomination history, with over $80 million spent on the campaign.
United Democracy Project, a political action committee aligned with AIPAC, was the largest spender, pouring over $70 million into opposing El-Sayed.
El-Sayed has vowed to continue pushing for progressive policies, despite the challenges ahead.
His victory marks another loss for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who backed Stevens in her failed bid to claim the Democratic nomination.
Rogers, the Republican Senate nominee, is confident of his chances against El-Sayed, saying that both candidates are "very radical" and "way too extreme for Michigan."
The general election is expected to be a closely contested and contentious battle, with both sides vying for control of the Senate.
