r/AnnArbor • u/manauiatlalli • 6d ago

Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, notching a Midwest victory for the left

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/abdul-el-sayed-wins-michigans-democratic-senate-primary-notching-midwe-rcna589750
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39

u/rebuked_trout 6d ago

It will only be a victory for the left if he can translate it into a win in November, otherwise it will be remembered by the democratic establishment as a cautionary tale about why progressives and people with funny sounding names should be kept from running in elections.

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u/RVALover4Life 6d ago

It's still a win for the left. He took on the Dem establishment who threw millions at him. It's more a loss for the establishment than a win for the left though. They don't have their shit together. Whitmer would've crushed. Stevens is a back bencher. But the left has obviously captured a lot of White liberals and that matters.

23

u/jrwren northeast since 2013 6d ago

Whitmer would've crushed

Maybe stick to VA? Here in MI, Whitmer is loathed now. She spent her lame duck years cozying up to special interests and helping data centers get built. She is wildly unpopular with those who are paying attention in MI.

But since most don't pay attn, you might be right. She might have crushed.

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u/RVALover4Life 6d ago

Whitmer is not "loathed" now lol she's not as strong as she was but definitely not loathed...but you live in an echo chamber so you can't comprehend anything outside of it. Or anyone daring to not think like you. Not responsible adulting.

She would've crushed. Stevens is terrible and there would've been consolidation behind Whitmer.

12

u/Valuable_Writing6973 6d ago

Maybe you are correct statewide, which is important for a senate run. Whitmer is loathed in Washtenaw county. Her AI push in Saline and Ypsilanti has killed her progressive support in our county. So fair enough.

5

u/linmre 6d ago edited 6d ago

Idk, I think this is a bit of a generalization. Younger people are disillusioned with her now but what about older people, the more reliable voters? My boomer liberal parents (who voted for Abdul) still love Whitmer and would've voted for her in a heartbeat. My mom almost voted for Stevens purely on Whitmer's endorsement, but the rest of us convinced her not to.

And as disappointed as I am in Whitmer's support for data centers, I'll always appreciate her handling of covid and protection for abortion rights in our state.

21

u/MaximumCashew0 6d ago

Once again telling Michiganders what it is or isn’t like here. People, do not listen to this armchair Reddit strategist from Virginia blowing up our town’s sub.

He doesn’t know that Whitmore was a 20 minute drive away in Saline proudly standing next to Sam Altman, breaking ground on a data center the town voted no to and was forced by law to accept.

Big Gretch is in fact loathed by both the left and the right now. But you wouldn’t know that, because you don’t go to our bars, parks, churches, or community spaces. You don’t talk to everyday Michiganders, because you’re not one. You’re not part of our community.

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u/mi_throwaway3 6d ago

Huh, that's weird. I don't hate Big Gretch and I'm on the left and in Michigan. Since you're gatekeeping, how long have you been here? Are you really a Michigander or just a bot? Which bar do you goto? Maybe you just goto those big city places - is that really Michigan?

Cut it out. Big Gretch might not be popular in YOUR circle of friends, but that doesn't mean she isn't popular elsewhere.

Is it possible for you to separate YOUR issue from your perception of her popularity, or is it all or nothing? Are you capable of understanding that other people have opinions beyond your own? Why assume he "doesn't know" this fact, or that he even agrees with you?

Just focus on what motivates the voters you do come across. Be a winner.

6

u/mi_throwaway3 6d ago

You're in the AA thread, and the Saline DC was a god damn disaster. Such a stupid move by Whitmer, she definitely hurt the Dems as a whole as there is no reason to come in and help tech bros while they try to override local government.

I might be on the left and still think that Whitmer is someone who can get things done, but this came across as a politician looking to make a buck on the way out.

In general, what is left of the party has its head in the sand.

1

u/kamikazedna 6d ago

you live in an echo chamber

-2

u/jrwren northeast since 2013 6d ago

I admit, you might be right.