Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate at an event in Detroit.

“His will be a voice. Abdul’s. That is a voice representing the people of this state, and it will be a national voice,” she said.

When she ran for president two years ago, Harris struggled to win over Arab and Muslim voters in Michigan because of the Biden administration’s support for Israel. Many voted for President Trump, while some backed minor party candidates.

At a news conference with Harris, El-Sayed addressed those voters. “I think if a lot of us could have had that back, had 2024 back, we would have thought about things in different ways. And I hope that moving forward, we don’t reinforce the mistakes of the past that break us apart and start thinking about where do we go in the future.”

El-Sayed supported the Uncommitted Movement in the Democratic presidential primary in 2024. He later endorsed Harris.

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026

Leaders in Jewish, Democrat want El-Sayed to answer concerns

Jewish and Democratic Party leaders urged Abdul El-Sayed to address their concerns about his criticism of Israel.

Cantor Regina Hyatt says this political season’s rhetoric is leaving her feeling alienated and politically homeless. And she says many in Michigan’s Jewish community feel the same. Many of them said that they would just sit out the election, or at least that line on the election.

El-Sayed has defended his criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and of U.S. arms sales to Israel. He has also said he loves the Jewish community and cares about their safety.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, has also raised concerns about El-sayed’s stance but is endorsing him. Michigan voters will decide this fall whether to call a constitutional convention in Lansing next year.

Constitutional question

The question of whether or not to change Michigan’s constitution has appeared on the ballot every 16 years since 1978. Each time, voters have rejected it. If voters say yes this time, another election would take place in the spring to choose delegates who would meet in Lansing next fall.

The Constitutional Convention question will appear as Proposal 1 on this year’s ballot.

Reparations Generation house meeting

Reparation Generation’s September virtual house meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 29. Lottie Lee Abdullah from Reparations for Slavery will guide a discussion around housing and the racial wealth gap.

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Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic Primary for the U.S. senate seat, even though he did not win the majority of votes in Wayne County. 

He says that stems from historic tensions between Arab and Black residents. Speaking on the WDET program The Metro, El-Sayed said the mistrust among Black voters is valid. But President Donald Trump poses a bigger threat to the state. 

“[Trump threatens] our ability to afford the basic things, and certainly the Arab and Muslim community, and certainly the well-being of the Black community. You think about the assault on the Voting Rights Act, led by the folks that he appointed to the courts. We have to come together beyond differences to recognize that we’re all in the same boat now, and we’ve got a responsibility to come together to build the future that we want.” 

El-Sayed argues his Republican opponent in the general election, Mike Rogers, will back any policy Trump wants to pass. Rogers says El Sayed’s progressive views are too extreme. 

Additional headlines for Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026

Pet vaccinations

The state veterinarian is reminding pet owners to make sure their furry friends are up to date on vaccinations.

Dr. Nora Wineland says pets are exposed to contagious diseases through wildlife, other animals, ticks, mosquitoes and pathogens in the environment.  Wineland says summer activities increase pets’ risk of exposure to contagious diseases. 

DNR hosts Beginner Backpacking

Anyone interested in being guided through their first hiking and backpacking experience can sign up this week for a DNR training in September.

Beginner Backpacking at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park will teach the basics of backpacking as hikers set up their first camp along the shores of Lake Superior before hiking through the woods and along Mirror Lake to the highest peak in the park.

The training is Sept. 18- 20. Registration closes Friday, Aug. 14.

Planet Ant party

Planet Ant’s Colony Fest and Summer BBQ are happening this Saturday. From 2 p.m. until midnight, the community can celebrate the training and performance space in its Black Box building with food, yard games, Mario Kart and a beer tent. Admission is free.

The Colony Fest Improv Tournament happens at Ant Hall across the street from 8-10 p.m. The event is a comedy showdown with the four troupes who won improv battles in July competing in a head-to-head championship. Tickets are $12.51.  

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This year’s primaries feature some competitive races that will mark battle lines come November and may even point to national trends.

This week on MichMash, WDET’S Cheyna Roth, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss some of the key things to look out for in Tuesday’s elections. They are joined by Gongwer reporters Nick Smith and Lily Guiney.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode

• Things to look out for on Tuesday’s primaries.
• What do the polls say about who will win their party’s nominees.

Here are some key moments the MichMash team is watching for on the Aug. 4 Michigan primary elections:

• Tuesday may be a referendum of where Michigan Democratic voters are leaning towards. The results of races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate will tell us if progressives or established Democrats are the voice of the Michigan Democratic party.
• What will the national implications be and how much interest will Michigan draw after the results? The fight for U.S. Senate and House is tight, making a purple state like Michigan a key factor in determining who has control of Congress.
• Which party is more motivated? Voter turnout varies based factors like who is on the ballot. Tuesday’s results will tell us more about the upcoming midterm elections.

The primaries are on Aug. 4, 2026

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Democrat victory in special election may show where 2026 midterms are headed
• Inflation and the U.S. economy following the 2022 midterms
• Michigan’s Democratic senate primary is a tight, expensive race