Jerusalem Post/US PoliticsEl-Sayed has repeatedly spoken out against Israel, while Stevens is considered a pro-Israel candidate and was funded by AIPAC.Follow us on GoogleUS Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters and the media during a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, US, August 2, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERSAUGUST 5, 2026 09:14Updated: AUGUST 5, 2026 09:18Abdul El-Sayed defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic primary race on Wednesday, winning approximately 49% of the vote.El-Sayed has repeatedly spoken out against Israel, while Stevens is considered a pro-Israel candidate and was funded by AIPAC.The contest has emerged as one of the clearest tests yet of the direction of the Democratic Party, pitting El-Sayed's campaign against Stevens, an establishment-backed moderate supported by Democratic leaders and pro-Israel groups.US Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), candidate for Michigan's open US Senate seat, (C) talks with her press secretary Joetta Appiah after speaking to the press at Baldwin Public Library on August 04, 2026 in Birmingham, Michigan. (credit: Finn Gomez/Getty Images)Race showcases whether Democratic voters receptive to new candidate agendasThe race was being closely watched for clues about whether Democratic voters in a crucial swing state are receptive to candidates who challenge party leaders and champion an agenda focused on lowering costs, expanding healthcare coverage, and restricting the role of big money in elections.Michigan is both a presidential battleground and home to one of the country's largest Arab American communities, making it an important testing ground for Democrats' electoral and ideological future.The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November in a race critical to Democrats' hopes of regaining control of the US Senate.Follow us on Google