John James

Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary is the latest and perhaps most significant evidence that the party's voters are looking to turn the page on establishment-backed politicians — even in must-win battlegrounds.

The progressive candidate narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens to set up a November matchup with former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers. El-Sayed has little time to celebrate before pivoting to patching up divisions in the party after a bruising primary.

During much of the Trump era, Democratic primary voters have often followed the urging of party leaders and favored moderate candidates like Stevens. But this year, they've veered toward outsiders like El-Sayed, who tapped into widespread discontent with the Democratic establishment and the status quo in Washington.