Abdul El-Sayed won endorsement from progressive leaders for Michigan’s 2026 Senate race. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez road out for him. They hailed it a pivotal test for progressive goals. Funding from progressive PACs rose fast to help his bid beat foes. At the same time, a major pro-Israel lobby group spent its largest Michigan sum ever to test its pull in Senate fights. Michigan voters also chewed over the age gap in the U.S. Senate. Some said El-Sayed’s fresh face stood out against older senators.