The 2026 midterm elections began on August 5, 2026, as voters participated in primaries across five states, with a focus on Michigan's Democratic Senate primary. The race features Rep. Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed, attracting significant financial backing and attention from prominent Democratic figures. The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November, a race seen as crucial for control of the Senate.
The primary reflects a broader debate within the Democratic Party, with Stevens receiving support from the party establishment and El-Sayed backed by progressives, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In addition to Michigan, voters in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington also participated in primaries that will influence the November elections. Some contests, including Michigan's 13th Congressional District Democratic primary, remained unresolved as votes were still being counted. Washington's elections, primarily conducted by mail, were expected to take longer to finalize due to the acceptance of ballots postmarked by Election Day. The outcomes of these races will shape the political landscape heading into the general election.