Kathmandu— In a stunning upset, Abdul El-Sayed, a public health advocate and progressive candidate, narrowly won the Michigan Democratic primary for the US Senate on Wednesday. Despite facing tens of millions in campaign spending from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and endorsements from top Democrats including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, El-Sayed secured victory over Congresswoman Haley Stevens by a razor-thin margin. The result has sent shockwaves through the pro-Israel establishment and raised questions about the influence of special-interest groups within the Democratic Party.

Campaign Challenges

El-Sayed's campaign faced significant obstacles, including tens of millions in spending by AIPAC and other special-interest groups. Despite these challenges, he managed to secure a narrow victory over Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who had the backing of numerous Democratic power brokers. El-Sayed reminded his supporters that they had taken on substantial financial opposition and kept fighting back.

Political Implications

The result stunned the US political system, dealing a setback to pro-Israel Democrats and prompting a response from President Donald Trump, who labeled El-Sayed as a “Communist loser who hates Jews and Israel.” Analysts emphasize that this victory signals a shift within the Democratic Party, where campaign spending and big-name endorsements may no longer guarantee success. Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders called it the “most extraordinary victory” in modern US politics.

Progressive Wins Across the Country

El-Sayed's win is part of a broader trend of progressive victories across the United States, including races in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. These results indicate that left-wing candidates are resonating with voters by engaging them on issues like healthcare and affordability rather than traditional Democratic approaches.

Next Steps

El-Sayed will now face former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in the general election, who is backed by Trump and likely to receive support from pro-Israel groups. AIPAC has already indicated it will continue its spending efforts to defeat El-Sayed in November.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.