Overview
- Abdul El‑Sayed narrowly beat Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary on Aug. 4 and is now the party’s nominee for the open Michigan Senate seat.
- El‑Sayed confirmed a warm phone call with Barack Obama that an Obama spokesperson also verified, and he said he hopes the former president will campaign with him this fall.
- On national TV El‑Sayed defended his record and called streamer Hasan Piker’s past 9/11 remark a “dumb statement,” while refusing to commit to whether Piker will appear on the general‑election trail.
- President Trump has escalated attacks by labeling El‑Sayed a “communist,” using profane language in a Las Vegas speech, and posting a Truth Social image contrasting the two couples.
- Republican Mike Rogers has already courted moderate Democrats and independents and outside groups that spent heavily in the primary are poised to pour more money into a November contest that will hinge on turnout in diverse Michigan communities.