A Democratic Senate primary in Michigan has raised concerns for the party as Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won the nomination over Rep. Haley Stevens to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters. A recent Fox News poll indicates that El-Sayed is struggling to unify the Democratic base, with Republican nominee Mike Rogers currently leading 51% to 47% among registered voters, within the margin of error. The poll shows strong support for Rogers among Republicans, with 96% backing him, compared to El-Sayed's 91% support among Democrats. However, only 69% of non-DSA Democrats and independents support El-Sayed, despite 98% of DSA supporters backing him.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a more moderate candidate, has garnered 81% support among non-DSA Democrats and independents, giving her a 52%-47% lead over Republican Rep. John James. Pollster Chris Anderson noted that El-Sayed needs to consolidate support among Democrats to be competitive. Rogers has claimed that the Republican Party is unified in this race, while El-Sayed has expressed confidence in his ability to unite the party as Election Day approaches. El-Sayed, if elected, would be the first Muslim senator in U.S. history and has made healthcare reform a central part of his campaign, alongside his criticisms of U.S. immigration policies and foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine.