Overview
- An independent poll by MIRS and Mitchell Research found Abdul El-Sayed at 28% support, ahead of Haley Stevens at 18% and Mallory McMorrow at 17%.
- Pollster Steve Mitchell credited El-Sayed’s rise to backing from progressive figures, noting endorsements from Bernie Sanders and streamer Hasan Piker during the survey period.
- The Center for Democratic Priorities placed more than $5.3 million in ads to help Stevens, buying time in the Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, and Traverse City markets.
- The group used Waterfront Strategies, a buyer that has worked with AIPAC-linked super PACs, and it has scant public filings or disclosed officers, though no proof ties its funding to AIPAC.
- The primary has become a referendum on Israel policy and outside money, with El-Sayed opposing unconditional U.S. aid to Israel, Stevens describing herself as a pro-Israel Democrat, and some commentary casting the party as moving away from Israel.