Michigan’s Left Wing Squabble Ends With Socialists Eyeing The Senate Throne
KEY POINTS
- •Abdul El-Sayed clings to a narrow 48.5%–47.5% lead over Haley Stevens with 96% votes tallied in Michigan's Senate primary.
- •Will Lawrence, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, defeated Bridget Brink and Matt Maasdam by 15 points for the 7th district nomination.
- •Donavan McKinney, backed by Bernie Sanders and Rashida Tlaib, is leading Shri Thanedar 51.6%–48.4%, threatening a left-wing upset.
Michigan woke up Wednesday in 2026 like a neighborhood kitty fight landed in Congress. Abdul El-Sayed, former Wayne County health director who swears he's not a DSA socialist but everyone’s betting crazy money he is, squeaked past 4-term Rep. Haley Stevens by a razor-thin 48.5% to 47.5% with 96% counted. Meanwhile, Will Lawrence, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement who's basically the Avengers' eco-friendly recruit, flipped the 7th district by 15 points against ex-Ukraine Ambassador Bridget Brink and Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam. Not to be outdone, Bernie-backed DSA member Donavan McKinney leans toward toppling Shri Thanedar in a straight blue seat 51.6%-48.4%. It’s a purplish mess that pits Bernie bros vs. establishment Dems, with Working Families and UAW crashing the party like uninvited but extremely passionate guests. NBC already cried victory for El-Sayed, but the AP and CNN are still sweating it like they’re watching Michigan’s last four ballots count themselves in real time. And don’t forget, a socialist snagged a mayorship in Ann Arbor unopposed, probably already drafting plans to turn city hall into a community co-op-run kombucha brewery.
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(1 of 3)Michigan left-wing democracy showdown packed more drama than a reality TV reunion, but replace the exes with health directors and socialists plotting Senate coups.
Forget Game of Thrones — Michigan just staged the ultimate Dem power struggle complete with health bureaucrats and Bernie disciples battling over a Senate throne.
If political primaries were UFC matches, Michigan hosted the main event with a retired Navy SEAL, a health official, and a socialist referee throwing punches.
Source: Axios | Published: 8/5/2026 | Author: Andrew Pantazi
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