Abdul El-Sayed won the contest to become the Democratic candidate for the Senate from Michigan’s 11th district. He defeated Shirley Stevens, who had the backing of the party leadership. The victory was a demonstration of strength, but it was not as convincing as the opinion polls had suggested. Trump says Sayed’s victory is a gift to the Republicans.
Sayed faces Mike Rogers, who has Trump’s full support. If the Democrats are to have any hope of winning back the Senate, they must win in Michigan.
Sayed is receiving support from Democrats who are appealing to the party to rally behind him; any division will only benefit Trump.
The Democrats will portray the midterm elections as a war against Trump. State Senator McMorrow:
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“This was a brutal primary (trust me, I know). And Trump and Mike Rogers are counting on us to stay divided,” McMorrow said, naming the Republican candidate. “Let’s prove them wrong by beating Mike Rogers and taking our country back.”\
But that was not the only victory for the Democratic Socialists of America, DSA.
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Donavan McKinney, a congressional candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in Michigan’s 13th congressional district, \\won the Democratic primary\\ and ousted incumbent Representative Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.).
From primary candidates in New York such as socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier and her victory over incumbent Representative Adriano Espillat (D-N.Y.), the veteran leader of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, to Melat Kiros, another socialist in Colorado, who ousted incumbent Representative Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) after 30 years in office, DSA-backed candidates have expanded their influence over the party.
They have even won victories over other progressives – such as Thanedar.
Thanedar, who remains a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has broken with the DSA on a few crucial issues.
Most notably, Thanedar left the DSA in October 2023 because of his support for Israel.
“I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms. Sunday’s hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself,” Thanedar wrote in a statement following the 7 October terrorist attacks, in which 1,200 Israelis lost their lives.\
Israel is going to become an important part of the election campaign. The Islamophile left wing that is advancing is clearly antisemitic. The Democrats face a major test of strength that will determine the 2028 election campaign.