Voters in the US state of Michigan participate on Tuesday in the Senate primary elections, in a competition that is the latest battleground between progressives and centrists, which may determine the contours of control of Congress and the future of the Democratic Party, amid a heated internal controversy over American support for Israel.

Published on: 04/08/2026 - 19:06 Last updated: 04/08/2026 - 19:44

To view this content from YouTube, it is necessary to allow the collection of viewing rates and YouTube ads.

It appears that an application in your Internet browser is preventing the video player from loading. In order to view this content, you must cancel its use.

In the midst of a heated internal debate about American support for Israel, voters in the US state of Michigan will participate on Tuesday in primary and decisive elections for the Senate, to differentiate between two trends within the Democratic Party in a race that may determine the future of the party and the parameters of the struggle over control of Congress.

The competition is between Representative Haley Stevens, a centrist politician who has long declared her outspoken support for Israel and has the support of advocacy groups.

Among Abdel Sayed, a former public health official who represents the Progressive Movement, the latter seeks to stop unconditional American military aid to Israel, which he accuses of committing genocide.

This confrontation represents the latest battleground between centrists and progressives over American support for Israel, an issue that rose to prominence at the US level in this year's primaries.

Read also: Is Trump facing a dilemma due to the war on Iran, or is he preparing for new military options?

Unlike the competition in liberal strongholds, this race is being held in Michigan as a crucial swing state in the Midwest region before the midterm elections scheduled for November, as Democrats must win this seat in their struggle to control the Senate.

Experts in the party and analysts interviewed by Reuters explained that the result may give the clearest indication of the extent to which Democratic voters accept a message that is against the existing regime and hostile to Israel and the huge funds spent in politics, or to a more moderate approach that supports Israel.

In this context, Frank Lowenstein, who served as an envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations under former President Barack Obama, stated that these primaries constitute an indicator of the ideological future of the Democrats, and may shape the approach of the party’s candidates running in the presidential elections in 2028 towards relations with Israel.

Lowenstein continued, saying that this race "will help them determine how strictly they should deal with Israel... It seems that the matter will be a very clear choice."

Read also: United States: Republicans are dissatisfied with Trump and the midterm elections are at stake

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that Democrats' support for Israel dropped from 59 percent in 2018 to 22 percent in May.

But Democratic Party experts said the primaries also represent a test of how frustrated voters generally are with economic concerns and the party establishment.

Abdel Sayed's victory would highlight the anger fueling the demand for new leadership and the resonance of his call to reinvest taxpayers' money at home instead of spending it on Israel's war on Gaza.

A Stevens win would signal her success in convincing voters despite anti-establishment headwinds, with economic concerns and the desire to defeat Republicans outweighing the Israel issue.

Read also: Trump attacks the Democrats and describes them as “atheist extremist communists” months before the midterm elections

“Either way, Democratic Party leaders should not ignore the anger at the status quo fueling El-Sayed’s campaign, or assume that a Stevens win will vindicate the party,” said Democratic strategist Karen Finney.

On Tuesday, voters in Michigan, Virginia and Washington state will also choose the party's nominees for the US House of Representatives in the primary elections, including a small number of candidates who may determine whether the party regains control of the House of Representatives.

France 24/Reuters

Keywords related to the article

The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.