Election 2026 Michigan

Michigan Democrats are showing unity behind their statewide candidates. This comes three days after a heated U.S. Senate primary highlighted divisions between the party's progressive and moderate wings. Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official who narrowly beat Rep. Haley Stevens for an open Senate seat, attended. El-Sayed’s victory is seen as a win for progressives and a sign of discontent with establishment politicians. With less than three months before the general election, Democrats are under pressure to close ranks in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.

Democratic voters are turning out for this year’s primaries at levels not seen in more than 20 years. Michigan and Wisconsin saw midterm records, and large numbers of voters have turned out in Minnesota, Texas and Georgia. Competitive primary races have played a major role in the enthusiasm. Voter turnout in primary elections is an imperfect predictor of general election results, especially when one party has the more compelling early contests. Republicans say they're responding with a major effort to turn out their voters in the fall. The numbers nevertheless offer Democrats an encouraging sign after being shut out of power in Washington two years ago.