With primary elections taking place in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia and Washington today, Michigan voters head to the polls to cast ballots with the nation’s spotlight on the US Senate race between Democratic candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens.
The bitter, expensive race pits Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official, against Representative Haley Stevens, a centrist supported by party leaders. The winner will defend the seat of Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat who is retiring, and will face the unopposed GOP candidate Mike Rogers in November. Rogers lost to Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024 by less than 20,000 votes.
Current Democratic primary polling shows El-Sayed with a comfortable lead over Stevens according to a New York Times compilation:
Latest general election polling shows Stevens and Rogers leading, with El-Sayed’s chances in November currently unfavorable.
There is also a race for the next governor of Michigan, with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson looking to resoundingly defeat Sheriff Chris Swanson for Democrats, while US Rep. John James is ahead of Perry Johnson for the GOP.
Benson widely polls favorably against James in the November general election.
Polls in Michigan opened at 7am and will close at 8pm, as more than 1.2 million Michiganders have already cast their votes.
In Kansas:
Republicans are looking to flip the governor’s mansion with a Trump endorsement vs. a term-limited Gov. Laura Kelly endorsement.
Republican Sen. Roger Marshall is on the primary ballot as Democrats hope to flip a 100 year drought in the Senate with one of 11 primary candidates.
There is also a ballot measure that would overhaul how the Kansas Supreme Court is selected, with elections over governor appointments if successful.
In Missouri:
Progressive former Rep. Cori Bush is trying to defeat Wesley Bell, a moderate who defeated her two years ago.
Republicans are hoping to make citizen-led amendments to the state constitution more difficult, as well as hoping to eliminate income taxes.
In Virginia:
Virginians are facing challenges after a redistricting fiasco that they hoped would offset Republican redistricting wins in other states, after the Virginia Supreme Court struck down maps they claimed were unconstitutional.
Democrats’ bright spot is Senator Mark Warner, who is heavily favored to win a fourth term at 71.
In Washington:
All state House and Senate seats are up for grabs with Democrats seeking to expand their control.
All 10 of Washington’s seats in the US House of Representatives are on the ballot, as well. Most of the incumbents are expected to sail to reelection.
There are also four Supreme Court races, whose winners will likely be facing an expected legal fight over a millionaire’s tax.
Detroit News, NYT, NPR, Washington State Standard