In Michigan, Schumer effectively endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in the state’s competitive Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). While Schumer had privately favored Stevens, his public declaration marked his clearest signal yet in the three-way contest against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former health official Abdul El-Sayed.

“I think she has the best chance to win,” Schumer said of Stevens.

El-Sayed has been endorsed by a slate of notable progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and left-wing political influencer Hasan Piker. McMorrow has received endorsements from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Peter Welch (D-VT), as well as state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.

The Aug. 4 primary will determine who faces former Rep. Mike Rogers, the presumptive Republican nominee. Democrats view Michigan as a key hold as the state has elected a Republican senator only once in the last 50 years.

Schumer has also sought to shape Democratic recruitment efforts elsewhere. He successfully persuaded former Sen. Sherrod Brown to run in Ohio and former Rep. Mary Peltola to enter the race in Alaska. In Iowa, Schumer-backed Democratic nominee, paralympian Josh Turek, emerged from the primary, giving Democrats another potential pickup opportunity.

“We try to find candidates who really fit the states, not fit the national Democratic Party, but the states,” Schumer said. “And the minute I met Turek, I said, ‘He’s our guy.’”

Schumer argued that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies could create openings in Midwestern states such as Iowa, where farmers have been hurt by lower demand from Trump’s trade disputes.

But Democrats are also confronting internal divisions that could complicate their path to a majority.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Maine, where progressive oysterman Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Platner, whose Senate bid has been mired in scandals ranging from sexual misconduct allegations to a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol, has campaigned on progressive policies including universal healthcare, wealth redistribution, and a less interventionist foreign policy.

His victory thrilled progressive activists and earned support from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and groups aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America. Schumer, however, originally backed Planter’s former primary challenger, Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), until the governor dropped out of the race in April.

Schumer brushed aside questions about controversies surrounding Platner’s candidacy, instead focusing on Collins’ political vulnerabilities. “Much weaker than she was six years ago,” Schumer described the Maine Republican. While acknowledging policy differences with Platner, Schumer said both share the goal of defeating Collins. Schumer has since publicly endorsed Platner.

The competing dynamics in Michigan and Maine reflect a broader battle over the direction of the Democratic Party, with establishment leaders viewing more centrist candidates as electable while progressive activists push for more ideologically ambitious candidates.

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF DEMOCRATS SEEN THROUGH PRISM OF BITTER SENATE PRIMARIES

At the same time, Schumer argued that Republican struggles under Trump have strengthened Democrats’ prospects. He pointed to internal GOP divisions and controversies surrounding several administration initiatives and nominations as evidence that Republicans are creating their own political problems.

“It’s almost as if Trump wants to deliberately sabotage the Senate Republicans,” Schumer said