Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic primary for US Senate in Michigan, overcoming moderate congresswoman Haley Stevens. El-Sayed secured 48.5% of the vote compared to Stevens' 47.5%.
Stevens had received backing from the party's establishment and significant outside spending. El-Sayed's campaign centered on universal healthcare and openly discussed the war in Gaza.
His victory is seen by some as a rejection of traditional views on electability in swing states, suggesting that candidates can succeed by focusing on materially improving people's lives amid struggles with affordability and rising healthcare costs.
El-Sayed will now compete against Republican Mike Rogers in a general election in November. Michigan is considered a swing state, having voted for Trump, then Biden, and then Trump in recent presidential elections.