Michigan Democratic Senate primary candidate Haley Stevens maintains a significant lead over her far-left rival, Abdul El-Sayed, according to new polling. Stevens holds a seven-point advantage, with 48% support among Democrats likely to vote in the Aug. 4 primary, compared to El-Sayed's 41%. A 10% margin of undecided voters remains, with the primary just three weeks away.
The poll indicates a stark divide between Stevens and El-Sayed among different voter demographics. Stevens leads by 22 points among non-college educated voters, while El-Sayed holds a seven-point advantage among those with college degrees. El-Sayed also holds a 12-point lead among White voters, but Stevens maintains a massive 46-point advantage among Black voters.
The results echo earlier polling trends, which showed a similar gap between progressive candidates and their more centrist counterparts. A recent Maine Senate primary saw a similar dynamic, with a progressive candidate trailing among working-class voters by a significant margin.
The Michigan Senate primary is seen as a crucial battle between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party. Stevens, backed by Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and the party establishment, views herself as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with his past comments.
El-Sayed, a former Wayne County Health Department director, has made support for Medicare for all and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) key components of his campaign. He has also vowed not to accept PAC donations and has been a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas.
The primary is viewed as a must-hold for the Democrats, as the rare open Senate seat is a top Republican target and a crucial battleground in the party's bid to win back the Senate majority from the GOP.
The poll's release comes ahead of a high-profile visit to Michigan by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who are scheduled to team up with El-Sayed at three events.
The campaign has seen significant spending, with the United Democracy Project, a political action committee aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), investing nearly $15 million in support of Stevens and against El-Sayed.
