Abdul el Sayed’s 2028 ambitions cloud Michigan Senate race against Haley Stevens

Published July 27, 2026 5:32pm ET | Updated July 27, 2026 5:32pm ET



Democratic Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed is facing accusations that he is more focused on national politics than representing Michigan after leaked audio showed him describing the state’s Senate seat as a platform to build the progressive movement and influence the Democratic Party ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

El Sayed is competing against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) for the Senate Democratic nomination in the Aug. 4 primary. The winner will face former Rep. Mike Rogers in November in one of the nation’s premier Senate battlegrounds.

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