High-Stakes Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Called
One of the Democratic Party’s most closely watched primary battles has come to an end after months of campaigning, sharp personal attacks and deep ideological divisions.
The outcome is expected to have national implications as both parties compete for control of the U.S. Senate in next year’s election.
The race evolved into far more than a contest between two candidates, becoming a test of where Democratic voters in a critical battleground state wanted to take their party.
From healthcare and campaign finance to Israel and the party’s political identity, the primary exposed many of the debates shaping Democrats nationwide.
NBC News has projected that Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens after one of the most closely watched and expensive Democratic primary contests of the 2026 election cycle.
The victory gives El-Sayed, a former public health official backed by many of the party’s progressive leaders, the Democratic nomination in a race that exposed deep ideological divisions within the party and drew tens of millions of dollars in outside spending.
El-Sayed prevailed despite a wave of support for Stevens from Democratic establishment figures, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who endorsed the congresswoman in the final weeks of the campaign as Stevens sought to blunt El-Sayed’s late momentum.
According to NBC News, outside groups poured nearly $65 million into the race, making it one of the most expensive Senate primaries in the nation this year.
El-Sayed will now face Republican Mike Rogers in November after Rogers secured the GOP nomination without opposition.
The general election is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive Senate contests, with both parties viewing the Michigan seat as critical in the battle for control of the Senate.
The Michigan Senate race is widely viewed as one of the most competitive contests in the country and could play a significant role in determining which party controls the Senate following the November election.
The seat became open after Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced in early 2025 that he would not seek a third term in office.
The Democratic primary narrowed to Stevens and El-Sayed after state Sen. Mallory McMorrow ended her campaign in July, leaving Democratic voters to choose between two candidates representing different wings of the party.
Stevens entered the race with the support of many establishment Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who viewed her moderate political profile as a strong fit for a statewide race in a politically competitive state.
El-Sayed, meanwhile, earned endorsements from prominent progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while campaigning on policies such as Medicare for All and broader economic reforms.
Health care became one of the major issues separating the candidates, with El-Sayed supporting a single-payer system while Stevens favored a different approach.
The candidates also sharply disagreed over corporate influence in politics, campaign finance and the role of outside spending in elections.
One of the campaign’s lighter moments also attracted national attention after a video of Stevens telling supporters she planned to campaign with “a little bit of joy, a little bit of enthusiasm, a little bit of energy and a little bit of stick it to ’em” went viral, prompting widespread discussion online about her speaking style, NBC News reported.
With the Democratic primary now decided, attention shifts to the general election, which is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
