How Michigan’s Uncommitted movement shaped a Senate race

Democratic candidate for US Senate in Michigan Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters before heading off on a march through downtown on August 2, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. | Scott Olson/Getty Images Welcome to The Midterms, Actually. Every week I’ll be writing about two things: one big idea or trend I see forming acros

The fight between the progressive and centrist wings of the Democratic party reaches its most consequential front of the 2026 midterm primary cycle with Michigan voters set to catapult either Abdul El-Sayed or Haley Stevens to a general election that could decide the balance of power in the US Senate.

Candidates are also vying to replace Gov. Whitmer, who is term-limited.

The matchup between El-Sayed and Stevens is the biggest story of the day.

Latino voters shifted toward President Donald Trump nationally in 2024, but several Philly Latino voters say they're all in on Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro as November approaches.

As Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed vie for the Democratic nomination, voters are debating which way the party should go: establishment or insurgent; progressive or more moderate; new media or old.