El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Primary by 15,697 Votes as James Secures GOP Nod
Updated
Updated · Detroit Free Press · Aug 11
El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Primary by 15,697 Votes as James Secures GOP Nod
3 articles · Updated · Detroit Free Press · Aug 11
Summary
15,697 votes separated Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens after Michigan’s delayed Senate count, sending the progressive Democrat to a general-election matchup with Republican Mike Rogers.
Less than 1 percentage point decided the race despite late polls showing El-Sayed ahead by double digits, undercutting polling and blunting the impact of endorsements Stevens drew from top Michigan Democrats.
Detroit exposed El-Sayed’s weakness: Stevens and withdrawn candidate Mallory McMorrow took 64,897 votes there—about 66%—to his 33,786, leaving him with work to do among key city power brokers and voters.
John James also emerged with warning signs in the GOP governor’s primary, winning with 465,000 votes while rivals—including two who had dropped out—collectively topped 50% of ballots cast.
Another surprise came in the 8th Congressional District, where Thomas Smith won the Republican nomination with more than 50% after dropping out, underscoring how unsettled Michigan’s primary electorate remains heading into November.