Michigan Senate Democratic primary race remains too close to call as El-Sayed holds narrow lead

The outcome of Michigan's Democratic Senate primary was still unclear early Wednesday, with former public health official Abdul El-Sayed holding a narrow lead over Representative Haley Stevens. With more than 95% of ballots counted, El-Sayed had 49.5% and Stevens 45.78%. Both candidates addressed supporters, saying vote counting could continue through the day.

The bitter and expensive campaign drew national attention not only because the November general election will help determine Senate control, but also because it became the clearest proxy battle between the Democratic establishment and the party's progressive wing. Left-wing candidates, including democratic socialists, have seen surprising success in House primaries in New York and Denver. A progressive win in Michigan would be significant for the movement.

The winner of Tuesday's race will face Republican nominee Mike Rogers, who ran unopposed, in November to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

In Michigan's gubernatorial race, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson secured the Democratic nomination and will face Trump-backed Republican John James, looking to replace term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In the 7th congressional district, progressive community organizer William Lawrence, a Sunrise Movement co-founder, won a three-way primary and will challenge incumbent Republican Tom Barrett.

Elsewhere, in Washington state, centrist Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez advanced to the general election and will face Republican John Braun, backed by Trump. In Missouri, Democratic Representative Wesley Bell won his St. Louis-area primary, ending former Representative Cori Bush's comeback bid and blunting the momentum of pro-Palestinian candidates. In Kansas, state Senator Cindy Holscher won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while Trump-backed state Senate President Ty Masterson clinched the GOP nod.

Missouri's top election official, Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, on Tuesday rejected a citizen petition seeking a referendum on a Trump-backed redistricting plan. Hoskins said the petition was void because congressional redistricting plans cannot be subject to voter referendums. Missouri joined Texas last year in responding to Trump's call to redraw districts in Republicans' favor. The new map significantly reshapes Kansas City's 5th District, long held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, stretching it into rural central Missouri with a Republican tilt. The group People Not Politicians, which submitted more than 300,000 signatures, said it would challenge the decision in court.

In separate news, Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller vowed to resist growing calls to resign over domestic abuse allegations. His former father-in-law, Senator Bernie Moreno, said Miller was unfit for Congress. Miller is accused of holding a gun to his wife's head and scalding her with boiling water; their toddler daughter allegedly suffered a broken collarbone.