Overview
- Outside groups have poured roughly $50 million into pro‑Haley Stevens advertising, with AIPAC and affiliated entities responsible for about $30 million, and those buys have helped Stevens pull into a narrow lead in recent polls.
- Progressive Abdul El‑Sayed retains high‑profile endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Sen. Tina Smith while emphasizing a refusal to accept corporate PAC money and reporting strong small‑donor fundraising.
- A CNN report revealed a private Republican call in which Mike Rogers said he would be “in good shape” if El‑Sayed won the Democratic primary, a remark Democrats say underlines GOP hopes the nomination fight could hand them an easier general election opponent.
- Several Jewish Michigan Democrats and at least one House Democrat, Rep. Hillary Scholten, have publicly said they would not back El‑Sayed if he becomes the nominee, citing his past rhetoric, associations and stance on Israel and creating a risk of defections or donor hedging.
- Party leaders warn that a bitter, high‑dollar primary and public refusals to unite could depress Democratic turnout in November for an open Senate seat that is central to control of the chamber given Michigan’s recent close results and late primary date.