Primary Elections Held in Michigan, Missouri, Washington and Kansas

Michigan’s Democratic contest for a U.S. Senate nomination remained close on Tuesday between two candidates who differ on several policy questions, including U.S. policy toward Israel. The race has drawn attention because the seat is viewed as competitive in the November general election. Missouri, Kansas and Washington also conducted primary voting.

In Michigan, Democratic candidates Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed were separated by a narrow margin after most precincts reported. With 91 percent of votes counted, El-Sayed held 48.9 percent and Stevens held 47.1 percent, according to the Associated Press. Former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers secured the Republican nomination without opposition.

Stevens, a four-term member of Congress, has emphasized manufacturing policy and economic issues in her campaign. She has argued that her record in competitive districts positions her to perform well in the general election against Rogers. El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, has advocated for Medicare for All, changes to campaign finance rules and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. Outside spending supporting Stevens has included substantial contributions from groups that back candidates who favor strong U.S.-Israel ties, including the largest single donation reported from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Wayne County, which includes Detroit, continued to report results later than other areas. Historical patterns in the county have shown stronger support for candidates aligned with party leadership. Final tallies could alter the current lead.

Republican U.S. Representative John James, who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination for governor. He defeated Perry Johnson and will face Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson in November. In the 7th congressional district, progressive organizer William Lawrence won the Democratic nomination over Bridget Brink and Matt Maasdam. He will challenge incumbent Republican Tom Barrett.

In Missouri, incumbent U.S. Representative Wesley Bell defeated challenger Cori Bush in the Democratic primary for the St. Louis-area seat. Bush has been a vocal critic of U.S. support for Israel. A super PAC that supports pro-Israel candidates spent more than $8 million against Bush in the previous cycle and more than $3 million in this cycle. Bell is expected to win the general election in the safely Democratic district. On the Republican side, Paul Berry won the nomination unopposed.

Voters rejected Amendment 4, a measure that would have raised the threshold for citizen-initiated changes to the state constitution, with 80.3 percent voting against it.

In Kansas, Adam Hamilton won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat and will face incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall in November. Cindy Holscher won the Democratic primary for governor with 48.6 percent of the vote. Ty Masterson won the Republican gubernatorial primary with 43.2 percent. Voters also rejected a proposal that would have shifted the selection of state Supreme Court justices from gubernatorial appointment to direct election.

Washington state conducted an all-party primary in which candidates from every party appeared on a single ballot. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene led with 54.5 percent of the vote, while Republican Mary Silva received 27.2 percent; counting remained incomplete with 53 percent of ballots processed. In the 3rd congressional district, Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez advanced after defeating challenger Brent Hennrich. Republican state Senator John Braun also advanced to the general election.

The contests reflect differing priorities among Democratic voters in each state, including economic policy, health care and foreign aid, alongside the usual partisan competition for House and Senate seats.