Your Voice, Your Vote: The millions of dollars pouring into the Michigan Senate Democratic primary

DETROIT, Mich.--- The Michigan Senate Democratic primary race gets to the heart of the rift in the Democratic Party, but the spending is also why so many eyes are on this election. According to AdImpact Politics, nearly $100 million has been spent on this senate primary. 

Almost 80 percent of that, or more than $60 million, are in support of Haley Stevens.

El-Sayed got about $7.5 million in ad support. This is the third most expensive senate primary on record.

Stevens is a current congresswoman who flipped a red seat in 2018. She’s considered a moderate Democrat, and received endorsements from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Gary Peters, the Democrat who’s retiring his seat.

El-Sayed is an anti-establishment candidate and part of the growing progressive populist faction of the Democratic Party. He’s endorsed by the likes of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

It would be a big accomplishment for him to win in a swing state like Michigan, and right now most polls show him in the lead. However, some voters worry Stevens has a better chance of beating Mike Roger’s this November.

It’s been a contentious race full of attack ads and difficult questions about Democratic ideology. For example, El-Sayed claims to take no money from special interest groups or superPACs. He is also vocal about ending military support for Israel.

Meanwhile, half of the ad spending for Stevens comes from the United Democracy Project, its largest investment in a Congressional race on record. It’s affiliated with the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.

Analysts say this is a critical Senate seat for Democrats to win if they intend to flip the majority this November.

El-Sayed will watch election results roll in Tuesday night at Detroit’s Majestic Theater. Stevens will do the same just two miles down the road at the Hotel Saint Regis.

ABC57 will have crews at both election night parties.