El-sayed Gains Momentum in Michigan Senate Race Amid AIPAC Spending

WHO:

PBS - Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official; U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; outgoing Democratic Sen. Gary Peters; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.

WHAT:

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Protesters outside an event in Grand Rapids for Haley Stevens were expressing concern about the tens of millions of dollars spent on her Senate campaign by AIPAC and its affiliated groups.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens stated, "But you're the beneficiary of it," in response to questions about her campaign funding.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens claimed, "He's got a $45 million PAC waiting for him, supported by Donald Trump," referring to Mike Rogers.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - About $80 million has been spent on the Michigan Senate race, making it one of the most expensive in the country, with $60 million spent on Stevens' behalf.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - El-Sayed has been leading Stevens in the polls by double digits for the last two weeks.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens described herself as "Michigan's workhorse" and emphasized, "This is six years of hard, unglamorous work that I'm signing up for."

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Protesters outside an event for Haley Stevens were registering their concern about the tens of millions of dollars spent on her Senate campaign by AIPAC and its affiliated groups.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens stated, "Our system needs to evolve. I want to end dark money in politics."

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens claimed, "I might be the underdog in this race. That's OK with me."

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - El-Sayed has criticized Stevens for taking donations from AIPAC.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - About $80 million has been spent on the Michigan Senate race, making it one of the most expensive in the country, with $60 million spent on Stevens' behalf.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens claimed, "Every single poll shows I'm the best one to go beat Mike Rogers," who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens stated, "He's got a $45 million PAC waiting for him, supported by Donald Trump."

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - El-Sayed has been leading Stevens in the polls by double digits for the last two weeks.

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - Stevens described herself as "Michigan's workhorse" and emphasized, "This is six years of hard, unglamorous work that I'm signing up for."

PBS - The Michigan Democratic Senate primary features a contest between El-Sayed and Stevens, focusing on U.S.-Israel relations and the future of the Democratic Party.

PBS - AIPAC has spent close to $30 million in pro-Stevens and anti-El-Sayed advertising, marking the largest AIPAC investment in a single race.

PBS - More than 1 million voters in Michigan cast a ballot before the primary, mostly by mail.

Truthout - AIPAC has spent record amounts to support Stevens against El-Sayed.

WHERE:

PBS - Michigan, a battleground state that Trump won in 2016 and 2024.

WHEN:

PBS - Michigan Democrats will select their nominee for the U.S. Senate on Aug. 4.

PBS - In March 2025, Stevens' House campaign committee received donations from corporate political action committees affiliated with DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.

WHY:

PBS - The primary reflects intra-party rifts about whether Democrats should move further to the left.

PBS - El-Sayed criticizes U.S. aid to Israel, which has gained traction among the Democratic base.

HOW:

[07:03 AM EDT] - CBS News - The National Republican Senatorial Committee launched an anti-El-Sayed ad on June 25, spotlighting his position on abolishing ICE and adopting Medicare for All.

PBS - El-Sayed's campaign claims that a poll showing Stevens with a slight lead was funded by AIPAC, but no evidence supports this assertion.

PBS - Stevens transferred donations from utility companies to her Senate campaign after launching it in April 2025.

PBS - The National Republican Senatorial Committee launched an anti-El-Sayed ad on June 25, highlighting his positions on abolishing ICE and adopting Medicare for All.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 21:10 UTC)

Protesters gathered outside a campaign event for Haley Stevens in Grand Rapids, voicing concerns over the tens of millions of dollars spent on her Senate campaign by AIPAC and its affiliated groups. In response to questions about her funding, Stevens remarked, "But you're the beneficiary of it," while also highlighting that her opponent, Mike Rogers, has a $45 million PAC backed by Trump. With about $80 million already spent on the Michigan Senate race, making it one of the most expensive in the nation, Stevens has been trailing in the polls behind El-Sayed, who has maintained a double-digit lead for the past two weeks.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 17:37 UTC)

Protesters gathered outside an event for Haley Stevens, voicing their concerns over the substantial financial backing her Senate campaign has received from AIPAC and its affiliated groups. In response, Stevens emphasized the need for political reform, stating, "Our system needs to evolve," and expressed her comfort with being seen as the underdog in the race. Meanwhile, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has been running an anti-El-Sayed ad since June 25, highlighting his stances on abolishing ICE and supporting Medicare for All.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 12:41 UTC)

The Michigan Senate race has become one of the most expensive in the country, with about $80 million already spent, including $60 million on behalf of candidate Stevens. Stevens has claimed that every poll indicates she is the best candidate to defeat Mike Rogers, who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination, and she highlighted that Rogers has a $45 million PAC backed by Trump. Meanwhile, El-Sayed has been leading Stevens in the polls by double digits for the past two weeks, as Stevens describes herself as "Michigan's workhorse" and emphasizes her commitment to six years of hard work.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 04:09 UTC)

The Michigan Democratic Senate primary is heating up as Abdul El-Sayed faces off against Haley Stevens, with the campaign heavily influenced by U.S.-Israel relations and the future direction of the Democratic Party. AIPAC has made a significant investment of nearly $30 million in support of Stevens, marking the largest expenditure in a single race, while over 1 million voters have already cast their ballots, primarily by mail. This primary not only highlights the rifts within the party regarding its ideological stance but also features a backdrop of substantial financial contributions and advertising efforts aimed at shaping the outcome.