Divided Democrats face a moment of truth in Michigan Senate primary
Axios · LC · trust 25/100
Democratic socialists look like they're about to rack up a stunning new victory: Their candidate in Michigan's Senate Democratic primary has the momentum heading into Tuesday's primary.
Why it matters: A win by Abdul El-Sayed in the swing state would turbocharge the party's left flank and validate establishment fears about the party's direction.
The big picture: Establishment Democrats have watched in horror as democratic socialist candidates pull off one win after another in House primaries this year. The Michigan primary brings the ideological clash to its biggest stage yet.
State of play: Together with Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayor's race, democratic socialists have proven they're not on the periphery of the party anymore — the center of gravity has shifted unmistakably in their direction.
Driving the news: El-Sayed has gained ground as the campaign progressed.
The intrigue: The bigger question for Democrats is whether the party is undergoing the kind of makeover Republicans experienced a decade ago with Donald Trump — or if the democratic socialist surge is confined to the bluest enclaves.
The other side: Republicans dejected by President Trump's record low approval rating and unpopular war are suddenly reveling in the opposition's leftward lunge.
What we're watching: An El-Sayed win would only be step one for the democratic socialist cause. To truly show the far-left wing can compete in the most competitive terrain, he'd need to win in November against Rep. Mike Rogers, the presumptive Republican nominee.
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