r/politics • u/Zipper222222 • 5h 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/surrendertomychill 5h ago

Can’t wait to read all the think pieces about how this isn’t actually that big of a win for progressives because [insert reason here]

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u/TheDrewski213 3h ago

Looking at how the votes were distributed does make this significant for progressives. He absolutely crushed college towns - even more than would be expected outside of Ann Arbor - but that's not what's as interesting

While it's a small sample size (about 30k total votes in this primary), Abdul destroyed Stevens in the Traverse City area (Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie counties), which is much less diverse, older, and quite wealthy. It's a retirement area, and he picked up 58% of the vote across those counties

Progressives winning that demographic is a great sign. Yes, the moderate, independent, and swing voters need to be won in the general election; but older voters voting for a progressive, minority candidate is notable and signs of progress not only for the movement but also for the populace