Abdul El-Sayed won support from progressive leaders for Michigan’s 2026 Senate race. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hit the trail for him. They called it a pivotal test for progressive goals. Spending by progressive groups rose fast to help his push beat foes. At the same time, a major pro-Israel lobby group spent its largest Michigan sum ever to test its pull in Senate fights. Michigan voters also debated the age gap in the U.S. Senate. Some said El-Sayed’s fresh face stood out against older senators.