El-Sayed then turned his fire on Rogers, calling him a “coward,” challenging him to five debates and accusing him of loyalty to Trump and corporate donors.
“If you want a senator who’s going to lick some boots, fine, go vote for Mike Rogers,” he said. “But if you want a senator who’s going to stand up to Donald Trump, then you’ve got your option right here.”
El-Sayed was backed by progressive leaders including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Elizabeth Warren, as well as the United Auto Workers union.
His platform includes health care for all, higher taxes on billionaires, ending unconditional US military aid to Israel and reducing the role of corporate money in elections.
“RIGOROUS CAMPAIGN”
Stevens had the support of Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who argued that her moderate record and experience winning a suburban congressional seat made her the safer general-election choice.
She conceded Wednesday and pledged to support El-Sayed against Rogers.
“This was a thorough and rigorous campaign that brought out the full span of views within the Democratic Party – and that is why we have primaries,” Stevens said.
The primary was shaped heavily by divisions over Israel.
El-Sayed has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and demanded an end to US military aid. Stevens defended the US-Israel relationship and benefited from more than US$30 million in spending by AIPAC’s political arm.
His win gives progressives their biggest success yet in a year of anti-establishment Democratic wins.
In his victory remarks, El-Sayed sought to reassure Jewish voters after a campaign marked by accusations of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Republicans welcomed his nomination, believing his positions on Israel, immigration and health care could make him vulnerable in November.
Trump welcomed the result, noting during a speech in Las Vegas that “we do better against the communists, according to every poll,” and calling El-Sayed a “man of hate”.
