Democrat progressive pick Abdul el Sayed wins Michigan Senate nomination

The Democrats' progressive candidate, Abdul el Sayed, has won his party's Senate nomination in Michigan.

It was framed as a defining test of the party's direction going into midterm elections in November.

El Sayed, 41, is a doctor and centred his campaign on issues such as healthcare, an end to military aid for Israel, and the economy.

He will face off against Republican Party congressman Mike Rogers in three months' time.

El Sayed's win follows the high-profile election of Zohran Mandami, another Democratic progressive, in New York's mayoral race last November.

It could spark more debate among Democrats over the merits of anti-establishment campaigning and economic populism as they look to return to the White House in 2028.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren had backed El Sayed - who will be the first Muslim elected to the Senate if he wins in November.

His rival, Representative Haley Stevens, a moderate backed by millions of dollars from a pro-Israel group, had support from Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Ms Stevens' supporters said she was a more palatable candidate for voters in a state Donald Trump has won ​twice in the last three presidential elections.

But El Sayed, an epidemiologist, edged her out in a tight race after pulling in significant support from younger voters.

Sky's US partner, NBC News, put the result at 48.5% to 47.5% for the two main candidates - with 98.7% of the votes counted.

Democrats will be hoping they turn out for him again in November's all-important vote, held halfway through the US election cycle.

The Democrats already hold the Michigan seat but the incumbent, Gary Peters, is retiring.

Not retaining the state would make gaining a Senate majority virtually impossible for the party - and they would still need to "flip" at least four Republican-held seats.

'B.S policies'

Republicans have torn into El Sayed, calling him "dangerous" and "radical" in online adverts, while Mr Trump called him a "Communist loser who hates Jews and Israel" in a social media post.

El Sayed accused the Republicans of using his full name - Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed - and his religion as a scare tactic.

"My name is ​not the reason you can't afford your groceries," he said. "You know what is? Their B.S. policies."

He has also sought to reassure Jewish voters, calling them his "sisters and brothers" and promising he is committed to their ​safety.

Analysts said a key factor in his win was also the significant Arab-American population in Michigan, where animosity towards Israel runs deep due to the Palestinian and Gaza situation.

His victory is emblematic of a leftward trend among Democrats: A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week found 71% of Democrats describe themselves as "liberal" voters, up from 55% in 2012.

(c) Sky News 2026: Democrat progressive pick Abdul el Sayed wins Michigan Senate nomination