LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – If Michigan Democrats have been trying to keep their progressive makeover subtle, that ship has sailed.
Over the past week, two high-profile races have offered a glimpse of where the party’s activist base wants to go: farther left. One candidate picked up the blessing of one of America’s largest progressive organizations. Another is defending a record critics say would move Michigan even further down the progressive path. Taken together, they paint a picture of a Democratic Party increasingly shaped not by its moderates, but by its activist wing.
The activist wing takes the wheel.
MORE NEWS: MDOT Lifts Lane Restrictions as Record Fourth of July Travel Begins
The clearest example came in the U.S. Senate race. National and Michigan chapters of the progressive organization “Indivisible” officially endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Tuesday after what the group called an “overwhelming supermajority” of members voted to back his campaign.
The endorsement wasn’t just another campaign press release. It was a declaration about where Democratic activists believe their party should be headed.
Indivisible even contrasted El-Sayed with fellow Democratic candidate Haley Stevens, saying, “If you like Chuck Schumer and the status quo, Stevens is your candidate… Abdul is offering something too rare in Washington: a willingness to fight.”
The left lines up behind El-Sayed.
Founded after President Donald Trump’s first election, Indivisible has become one of the nation’s largest progressive grassroots organizations. Its agenda includes abortion rights, expanded voting access, stronger gun control, climate initiatives, labor unions, LGBTQ+ protections, immigrant rights and expanded health care while opposing most Republican policies.
In addition to Indivisible, El-Sayed has also collected endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders, the Working Families Party and the United Auto Workers, reinforcing his standing as the preferred candidate of Michigan’s progressive coalition.
But El-Sayed’s ties to the progressive movement extend beyond endorsements. As we reported recently, although El-Sayed has never publicly identified himself as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and they haven’t endorsed him in this election cycle, he has spoken favorably about the organization and its goals.
MORE NEWS: No Retirement Account? Lansing Has a Plan for That.
During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, he said he and the DSA “share a lot of ideals” and described its members as “sisters and brothers in the work.” He has also appeared at DSA- sponsored events and aligns with the group on many policy priorities, including Medicare for All, expanded government social spending, stronger labor unions, and aggressive climate initiatives.
Progressive credentials matter.
The progressive surge in the state was also evident at the Michigan Democratic Party convention, where candidates backed by the party’s left flank scored key victories across the ballot. From statewide nominees to down-ballot races, progressive activists are demonstrating a growing influence, signaling that the movement is becoming an increasingly powerful force within Michigan’s Democratic Party.
One of the clearest examples is the attorney general race and candidate Eli Savit. In fact, former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is arguing that Democratic nominee Savit would take the office even further left than current Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Worse than AG Nessel.
“If you worried about Dana Nessel as attorney general, Eli Savit is going to give you a heart attack,” Schuette said during a recent appearance on Off the Record with Tim Skubick, accusing Savit of embracing progressive criminal justice policies like “catch and release,” wanting to “abandon” law enforcement and supporting legalized prostitution and psychedelic mushroom usage. Schuette also argued that Democrats are now “held captive” by the Democratic socialist wing of the party.
Schuette’s criticism centers on Savit’s record as Washtenaw County prosecutor, where he championed ending cash bail for many offenses and declined to prosecute certain low-level crimes. Savit, meanwhile, says that many of those policies were designed for a local prosecutor’s office and would not become statewide policy if elected attorney general. Instead, he says he would focus on prosecuting serious crime, consumer protection, fraud and enforcing Michigan law.
The party’s center keeps shrinking.
Regardless of political rhetoric and candidate promises, neither El-Sayed nor Savit appears interested in distancing themselves from the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. If anything, they’re finding that progressive credentials have become political assets rather than liabilities in Democratic primaries.
Even some moderates are jumping on the progressive wagon for fear that they will be next on the chopping block. Recently, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin suggested the party needs a new generation of leadership after saying “the old models are not working,” remarks many viewed as recognition that Democratic voters are demanding change from the party establishment.
What’s next?
The bigger political test still lies ahead. Winning over progressive activists may be enough to capture a Democratic primary, but general elections are decided by a much broader coalition that includes mainstream Democrats, independents and swing voters. Whether Michigan’s increasingly progressive nominees can unite those voters – or whether the party’s leftward shift creates new political vulnerabilities – won’t be answered at the convention or in the primary. It will be decided in November.
