El Sayed has strong support from the party's progressive flank but still needs to garner support from black and establishment voters.

El-Sayed narrowly beat Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday.

Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official, was backed by prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Abdul el Sayed's performance in the Michigan Senate primary can be traced to a coalition with roots more in college campuses than the working class.

Abdul el Sayed defeated Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, and will now face Republican Mike Rogers.