DETROIT — Michigan Democrats gathered in Detroit on Friday to urge voters to unite behind their statewide candidates, three days after a contentious U.S. Senate primary exposed deep divisions between the party's progressive and moderate factions.
More than 1,000 attendees cheered for Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official who narrowly won the open Senate seat primary, defeating establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens by just under 1 percentage point.
El-Sayed addressed the crowd: "Michigan, we will fight to build the America that we are proud to hand off to our kids and our grandkids." He acknowledged his former primary opponents, saying, "In the spirit of coming together, I want to thank both of my colleagues who ran, Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow, for an incredible race."
Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Michigan resident and potential 2028 presidential contender, said the eyes of the country were on the state. "The stakes are high, and people from around the country, people from around the world, are watching the state of Michigan right now to see if we have the capability to put together that coalition to win. And we will win."
With less than three months before the general election, El-Sayed will challenge Republican Mike Rogers for the seat. The outcome will help determine which party controls the Senate.
Michigan is a critical battleground. Voters backed President Donald Trump in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Trump again in 2024.
Other statewide candidates also spoke. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, running for governor after winning her primary easily, referenced a June federal court ruling against the Trump administration's attempt to access Michigan voter data. She will face Trump-backed Rep. John James in the general election.
"You all know who I work for," Benson told attendees. "All of you and every Michigander in this state — not the highest bidder, not corporate interests, not Donald Trump." Eli Savit, a candidate for attorney general, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, running for secretary of state, also addressed the rally.
The primary between El-Sayed and Stevens turned personal. El-Sayed told Semafor in early July that Stevens could not "string together two coherent sentences" and called her "the least capable candidate in America." Stevens fired back during a debate: "I'm the only one on this stage who doesn't have a talent agent trying to pitch me for paid speeches. And unlike my opponent, I'm not running at the first mic or camera I see."
Despite the acrimony, Stevens indicated a willingness to campaign for El-Sayed. "Whatever he wants me to do," she told CBS News on Thursday. Stevens appeared with El-Sayed at a Michigan Democratic Party breakfast that morning.
Tom Moran, a 71-year-old school bus driver from Fenton who voted for Stevens in the primary, carried a banner at the rally reading "Unite behind the winner." "Now I'm saying, take the pledge," Moran said. "Unite behind our nominee."
The open seat became available after Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, decided not to seek reelection.
