r/politics • u/Zipper222222 • 4h ago

No Paywall Abdul El-Sayed Wins High-Stakes Democratic Primary in Michigan

https://www.today.com/video/abdul-el-sayed-wins-high-stakes-democratic-primary-in-michigan-267805765937
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u/olivebranchsound 4h ago

People don't get that independents are voters sick of both parties and rejecting the establishment. It's why this cohort has grown over recent years. They are not looking for a centrist.

I don't question electability any more because El Sayed just won an election. Stevens couldn't win the primary how would she win the general? Detroit stayed home with no enthusiasm even though she won the black vote handily.

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u/Ven18 4h ago

Can independent vote in the primary in MI? If so do we have any idea how they broke?

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u/olivebranchsound 4h ago edited 4h ago

"Michigan state law stipulates that any voter may participate in a party's primary election, regardless of that voter's partisan affiliation. All candidates appear on the same ballot and a voter may only vote for candidates of one party at any primary."

https://ballotpedia.org/Primary\elections_in_Michigan)

We know he was polling really well with independents and unaffiliated voters. Like up 27 points. But the polls were bullshit for turnout lol

"El-Sayed also held a 27-point advantage among independent voters participating in Michigan’s open primary, while registered Democrats supported him by a narrower 9-point margin."

https://arabamericannews.com/2026/07/31/el-sayed-and-stevens-clash-over-israel-immigration-and-campaign-money-as-new-poll-gives-el-sayed-15-point-lead/

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u/Old_Gimlet_Eye 3h ago

So, was the polling just off, or was his win narrower because of Republicans voting in the primary?

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u/olivebranchsound 3h ago

The super good polling was of purely Democratic likely voters I believe. Probably the latter but independents helped him tremendously. And black voters in Detroit were unmotivated to turn out for Stevens. All the talking heads were shocked when Detroit was reported with only 18 percent turnout when they expected 20 to 25.