Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Michigan's primary fight could redefine Democratic Party: POLITICO

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 21 Apr 2025 00:28
4 Min Read

Michigan's Senate primary is shaping up to be a defining showdown between progressives and moderates — a test of where the Democratic Party is headed and how united it can stay in a high-stakes election year.

Listen
  • x
  • Michigan's Primary fight could redefine the Democratic PartyAbdul El-Sayed addresses supporters during a rally, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in Detroit. (AP)

Michigan is shaping up to be the state where the left takes a strong position, providing the clearest test yet of the Democratic Party's orientation, POLITICO reported.

Before Abdul El-Sayed declared his candidacy, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a leftist Democrat, jumped into the race, criticizing the "same old crap out of Washington" and announcing she would not support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Meanwhile, moderate Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens is set to announce her Senate bid as early as next week. She is phoning Democrats to encourage them to run for her House seat, according to two Michigan Democrats who have been briefed on the calls and have asked to remain anonymous.

It's sparked a debate between progressives and moderates on everything from the economic and foreign policy message to who should head the party. And the outcome of the important battleground primary will affect national Democrats' rhetoric in 2026, as well as the presidential race two years later.

El-Sayed criticized certain candidates as lacking depth, while State Rep. Emily Dievendorf frames the race as a test of the left's willingness to show courage and advocate for average Americans.

There are fault lines even on the party's left side, and the Michigan primary might help determine how aggressively Democrats across the ideological spectrum pursue older members of their own party. El-Sayed and Stevens are backing Schumer, but McMorrow has stated she will dismiss him over his handling of a Republican-backed government funding measure.

The state is "at the center of this conversation," said state Representative Laurie Pohutsky, a progressive. "We're going to continue being a focal point when it comes to that debate, and I think that we are also in a position to kind of reach a sort of consensus about what we need right now in terms of moving the Democratic Party forward."

Related News

UK, NATO plotting sabotage of Russian oil tankers, says SVR

Clashes erupt in Deir Hafer between SDF, Syrian army factions

However, the fought primary, as well as the obvious ideological schisms, have some strategists concerned that the intra-party conflict would harm whatever candidate advances to the general election. The fight to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is a major priority for Republicans in a state that Donald Trump narrowly won last year. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott both backed former Rep. Mike Rogers' campaign shortly after it debuted this week.

Caitlin Legacki, a Democratic campaign veteran, believes "the Michigan Senate seat is imminently winnable, but if the primary challengers decide to turn this into a proxy fight among the party's most online factions, we are cooked."

In an interview, El-Sayed, who has been harshly critical of "Israel's" war on Gaza, enraging some centrist Democrats, downplayed the race's national significance.

"I think Bernie's endorsing in this race because he sees the opportunity to empower somebody who wants to join him in the Senate to make sure that we've got a politics that works for working people," he previously told Politico.

Sanders has had limited success getting statewide endorsements in Michigan in the past. After endorsing El-Sayed for governor in 2018, Gretchen Whitmer, a more moderate Democrat running on the slogan 'repair the damn roads,' defeated him in all 83 counties.

Stevens' supporters believe El-Sayed and McMorrow are on the same progressive path. In reaction, she is likely to "Michiganize" the election rather than nationalize it, according to an associated strategist who requested anonymity to discuss her approach.

Even in sketching out that campaign strategy, the strategist signaled a slap to the progressive left.

“It’s a focus on Michigan, Michigan’s auto industry, and manufacturing jobs versus a national conversation about progressive leadership and Democratic punditry,” the strategist believes. 

  • Michigan
  • United States
  • Democratic Party
  • Democrats
  • Republican Party
  • Senate
  • Bernie Sanders
  • US midterm elections

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS