Establishment Dems Forced To Cover Left Flank In Vital Swing-State Primary

August 02, 2026 1:20 PM ET The Democratic establishment could lose its stronghold in Michigan as candidates are set to face competitive matchups from candidates to their left in Tuesday’s primary races. Candidates endorsed by the Democratic establishment will face off with candidates backed by independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and other anti-establishment politicians. Further-left candidates and members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have secured a series of victories in recent primaries.In the Democratic Senate primary, Democratic Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, who has served in the House since 2019, positioned herself as the moderate candidate, while former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed campaigned on an anti-establi