Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a proponent of universal health care and critic of U.S. military aid to Israel, holds a narrow lead over Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate race. The winner will replace retiring Senator Gary Peters and face Republican nominee Mike Rogers in a pivotal battleground state that could shape Senate control.
Outside Michigan, Tuesday’s primaries held significant elections in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington. Missouri’s Democratic establishment pushed back against the progressive left as Representative Wesley Bell defeated Cori Bush, a democratic socialist. In Lansing, Mich., William Lawrence, an organizer, triumphed over two centrist Democrats in a House primary. Lawrence faces Republican Tom Barrett in the general election, testing left-wing populism in swing districts.
Dr. El-Sayed receives backing from progressive leaders; meanwhile, Stevens, supported by party leaders and allied to Israel, benefits from $60 million in outside funding, largely from AIPAC. The contest centers on these endorsements and funding sources.
Meanwhile, in Virginia, former Representative Elaine Luria and Representative Jen Kiggans will vie in a competitive House race. Both veterans, Luria and Kiggans, compete in military-influenced districts.
In Kansas governor primaries, Cindy Holscher faces Ty Masterson. Their contest will replace outgoing Democratic Governor Laura Kelly. In Washington’s nonpartisan primary, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez advances against a Republican in the general election.
Michigan voters are considering several highly competitive races. The Detroit elections show a narrowing gap in votes as El-Sayed’s lead reduced by around 20 minutes ago, with 40,000 absentee votes from Detroit favoring Stevens. Oakland and Washtenaw County results were closely watched.
Republican Amanda McKinney leads the conservative central Washington primary, set to replace retiring Representative Dan Newhouse.
William Lawrence, co-founder of Sunrise Movement, wins in Michigan House primary, challenging Representative Tom Barrett in general elections. Lawrence, backed by Bernie Sanders, opposes data centers and champions universal health care and increased taxes on billionaires.
State Senator Cindy Holscher wins Kansas Democratic-governor nomination, supported by progressives against political establishment. Holscher opposes data centers and tax policies unfavorable to working citizens.
Missouri voters reject GOP-led measure limiting citizen-sponsored constitutional amendments approval. Kansas voters reject GOP measure to elect state Supreme Court justices, preserving assisted appointment system.
Ty Masterson wins Kansas GOP governor primary, contributing to potential Republican governorship flip. Democrats aim to hold the strongly contested seat.
Wesley Bell, Missouri’s pro-Israel Democrat, withstands former Representative Cori Bush’s socialist comeback in primary. Bell retains St. Louis district amid shifts towards progressive stances.
In Kansas, Adam Hamilton wins Democratic Senate nomination, setting challenge against Republican Roger Marshall. Hamilton’s moderate message targets changing political landscapes amid a Republican stronghold.