Democratic Primaries Split on Israel and Iran War as Michigan's 48.5%-47.5% Race Breaks Left
Updated
Updated · Middle East Eye · Aug 5
Democratic Primaries Split on Israel and Iran War as Michigan's 48.5%-47.5% Race Breaks Left
2 articles · Updated · Middle East Eye · Aug 5
Summary
Michigan delivered the clearest upset: Abdul El-Sayed beat Haley Stevens 48.5% to 47.5% in the Democratic Senate primary after campaigning to end US military aid to Israel and oppose the Trump administration's war on Iran.
That result contrasted with Missouri and Washington, where Aipac-backed establishment candidates prevailed — Wesley Bell defeated Cori Bush 59.2% to 36.9%, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez turned back progressive Brent Hennrich.
Virginia also favored an establishment line, with Senator Mark Warner winning unopposed on the Democratic side while pairing criticism of Trump's lack of congressional consultation on Iran with support for Israel and concern over Tehran's nuclear program.
Kansas offered little foreign-policy signal, as Democrats nominated Cindy Holscher and Republicans picked Vicki Schmidt in a race centered on abortion, agriculture and rural development.
Across five states, the primaries produced no single Democratic voter verdict on Gaza, Israel or Iran, suggesting those issues can mobilize key blocs such as Arab American voters in Michigan without reshaping every contest.