DETROIT - Michigan Democrats head to the polls Tuesday in a closely watched Senate primary between moderate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and progressive contender Abdul El-Sayed. The winner will take on former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in November, a contest seen as essential for Democrats seeking to recapture the Senate majority.

The nominee faces former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who runs unopposed after a narrow Senate defeat in 2024.

Democrats navigated a costly and divisive campaign that served as a stand-in conflict between the party's mainstream and progressive factions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed Stevens, while Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backed El-Sayed.

Stevens, a four-term congresswoman from Detroit suburbs, emphasized manufacturing and economic issues in what she described as a campaign devoted to Michigan.

When asked Sunday about the contest reflecting two Democratic paths, Stevens responded that it represented a Michigan moment.

Stevens gained from tens of millions in outside spending, including a record outlay from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee supporting pro-Israel candidates.

El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, seeks a return after his 2018 gubernatorial primary loss to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. His platform included Medicare for All, campaign finance changes and halting military aid to Israel.

El-Sayed told AP during a Sunday march that the wealthy continue to gain at the expense of ordinary citizens, with supporters chanting slogans about removing money from politics.

Voters also select nominees in competitive House races and to succeed Whitmer, who cannot run again due to term limits. The Republican gubernatorial primary pits U.S. Rep. John James, backed by President Donald Trump, against businessman Perry Johnson, who invested heavily from personal funds. For Democrats, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson leads strongly over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters retirement announcement in January 2025 surprised the party and triggered a scramble for his seat. Hopes for a smooth primary faded when Stevens, El-Sayed and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow all joined the field.

More than a year later the race stands as one of the most heated Senate primaries nationwide. McMorrow ended her bid in July, leaving Stevens and El-Sayed to compete for the nomination.

Stevens won her congressional seat in 2018 after leading President Barack Obama's auto task force that managed the federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler. Her campaign and allies have stressed this background, including ads with Obama praising her role.

Supported by Sanders early on, El-Sayed positioned himself as the outsider candidate hoping to align with newcomers winning elsewhere this cycle. He urged Democrats to reject corporate sway and adopt bolder progressive policies, including Medicare for All, reduced drug prices and bans on corporate PAC contributions.

On Sunday, Markita Williams attended First Baptist Institutional Church where El-Sayed spoke to the congregation. She said afterward she intended to support him to bring change for everyday people rather than the wealthy.

National organizations directed record amounts into the contest, turning it into a major test of outside influence. Groups supporting Stevens exceeded $50 million, with over $30 million from AIPAC and affiliates.

The spending placed Israel policy at the forefront even without direct mention in ads. El-Sayed advocated ending military aid to Israel while Stevens upheld strong bilateral ties.

Israel remains divisive among Democrats following the Gaza conflict that claimed more than 73,000 Palestinian lives in response to the October 2023 Hamas attacks killing about 1,200 and taking 251 hostages.

The race also mirrored broader party direction debates. Establishment figures like Schumer and Peters backed Stevens, whereas progressives including Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Elizabeth Warren supported El-Sayed.

Trump visited Michigan on July 27 and spoke at a General Motors plant, bringing James and other Republicans including Rogers onstage. James, a second-term congressman, had run unsuccessfully for Senate twice before.

The primary grew more contentious than Republicans anticipated, with Johnson funding ads against James. Johnson had run for governor in 2022 and pursued a longshot presidential bid in 2024.

In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, much of the party and groups like the United Autoworkers union rallied behind Benson.

Several competitive House races this year will influence whether Republicans retain their narrow majority or Democrats regain the chamber.

In the 4th District along Lake Michigan, Democratic state Sen. Sean McCann and newcomer Diop Harris II seek the nomination to challenge GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga.

In the 7th District covering the Lansing area, former U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink, community organizer William Lawrence and former Navy Seal Matt Maasdam pursue the Democratic nod to face Republican Rep. Tom Barrett.

James decision to run for governor opened his 10th District seat spanning parts of Oakland and Macomb counties. In the GOP primary, Trump backed Michael Bouchard over Steffan Demetropoulos and Justin Kirk. The Democratic primary includes former state House Rep. Tim Greimel, former prosecutor Christina Hines and former Commerce Department attorney Eric Chung.

In a heavily Democratic Detroit district, Rep. Shri Thanedar faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who contends the city deserves Black representation in Congress once more. After Thanedar election in 2022, Detroit lacked Black congressional representation for the first time since the early 1950s.