On Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, Michigan voters headed to the polls for critical primary races including governor, U.S. Senate, and House seats that may determine control of Congress.

The most prominent contest is the Democratic primary for the state's open Senate seat, as incumbent Gary Peters is not running. The race has evolved into a significant intraparty battle reflecting the future direction of the Democratic Party. Progressive public health official Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is challenging Michigan State Senator Mallory Stevens. El-Sayed has criticized Stevens for supporting continued U.S. weapons sales to Israel and receiving backing from pro-Israel groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Stevens maintains her support for a peaceful two-state solution.

Tensions between the candidates intensified after Stevens accused El-Sayed of not forcefully condemning an antisemitic attack earlier this year on a Michigan synagogue and Jewish preschool. El-Sayed had stated that the attacker had family members killed in Israeli air strikes and remarked, "hurt people hurt people." He has stood by these comments.

In the governor’s race, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson appears poised to secure the Democratic nomination over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Benson gained national recognition for defending Michigan against former President Donald Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud during the 2020 election.

On the Republican side, Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost his 2024 Senate race to Elissa Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes, is a notable figure. Meanwhile, incumbent Congressman Tom Barrett, who benefited from Trump's margin in Michigan in 2024, faces a challenging reelection campaign in a race rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.

These primaries come amid heightened focus on U.S. foreign policy, particularly the relationship with Israel, an issue resonating strongly in Michigan’s significant Jewish and Arab-American communities.

Sources