With about 70% of the estimated vote counted, CNN shows Abdul El-Sayed leading Haley Stevens by 49.8% to 46.3% in a closely watched test for US Democrats.
Image: NBC News
Abdul El-Sayed held a narrow lead in Michigan’s Democratic primary on Tuesday night, according to CNN projections, in a contest being closely watched as a barometer of the party’s direction ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
With roughly 70% of the estimated vote counted, El-Sayed was leading Haley Stevens by 49.8% to 46.3%, leaving the race too close to be called.
The primary has drawn national attention because it pits El-Sayed’s progressive platform against the more establishment-oriented campaign of Stevens, a current member of Congress.
Analysts say the outcome could offer important clues about the strength of progressive candidates within the Democratic Party, particularly in a key battleground state such as Michigan.
Both campaigns have focused heavily on issues including healthcare, economic inequality, manufacturing jobs and the future of Democratic strategy in the Midwest.
With a significant share of votes still outstanding, election observers cautioned that the margin could shift as additional results are reported.
