The Progressive Insurgency Comes of Age in Michigan As I watched Abdul El Sayed rally thousands of enthusiastic supporters at the Detroit Opera House, it was clear that this Senate primary was more than just a battle between two Democratic candidates.
It's a litmus test for the progressive movement's ability to translate its fervent ideology into electoral success. The contrast between El Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens couldn't be starker.
While Stevens is a well seasoned congresswoman with a moderate track record, El Sayed represents a new breed of Democratic candidate: one who eschews traditional party orthodoxy in favor of a left wing populism that resonates deeply with disaffected voters.