Michigan’s August 4 Democratic Senate primary is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown between the party’s rising progressive insurgency and an establishment more focused on electability. Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official backed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is running against Rep. Haley Stevens, a moderate with a track record of winning on red turf.

El-Sayed’s Campaign

El-Sayed believes that voters across the spectrum are frustrated with their leaders and are looking for someone who will fight for them. He supports Medicare for All, wants to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and says the United States must cut off aid to Israel. El-Sayed has also campaigned with pro-Palestinian Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has made controversial comments in the past.

El-Sayed’s opponents, including the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, have highlighted some of these positions and called El-Sayed ‘too radical for Michigan.’ However, El-Sayed remains confident that his message will resonate with voters. He believes that the Democratic establishment has misunderstood what voters really crave and that his campaign can build a movement around issues like healthcare and economic relief.

Stevens’ Campaign

Rep. Haley Stevens, on the other hand, is seen as a more moderate candidate who can appeal to a broader range of voters. She has a track record of winning on red turf and has been endorsed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Stevens has described herself as a ‘workhorse’ who gets things done in Washington, while El-Sayed has been characterized as a ‘celebrity senator’ who is more focused on ideology than on getting results.

The Democratic nominee will face GOP ex-Rep. Mike Rogers in November, and the stakes are high. Democrats need to retain the seat of retiring Sen. Gary Peters to have a path to a Senate majority in the midterm elections.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.