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El-Sayed Goes on Offense as Michigan Democrats Clash in Senate Debate
The three candidates are using one of their first major debates to define the party’s direction, with $45 million in Republican ad reservations looming.
Rep. Haley Stevens, Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and Abdul El-Sayed debate on Thursday at the Michigan Democrats' annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, offering their first major opportunity to sharpen contrasts before a statewide audience.
As Democrat Gary Peters is not seeking a third Senate term this year, candidates compete for the nomination ahead of the Aug. 4 primary in a race serving as a test for the party's ideological direction.
El-Sayed, backed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, calls for 'Medicare for All' and higher taxes on the wealthy; Stevens describes herself as a staunchly pro-Israel Democrat with endorsements from battleground-state senators.
The nominee will face former congressman Mike Rogers in the general election, who lost the 2024 Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes but enters this cycle with an uncontested primary.
National issues including tariffs and gas prices shape the race; Rogers acknowledged Wednesday that financial disadvantages in his previous campaign made it difficult, though outside spending is expected to climb into the nine figures.