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Early in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary, Erin Mallen sent $10 to State Senator Mallory McMorrow. Mallen, a mom who runs an Etsy shop near Traverse City, a liberal bastion in northern Michigan, liked McMorrow — she is young and a break from the Senate’s establishment who occupied a middle lane between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, Mallen said.

Lagging in the polls, McMorrow dropped out in June, leaving Mallen to choose between the progressive Abdul El-Sayed and establishment Haley Stevens. Mallen liked El-Sayed more, but was hesitant. “I just don’t know that someone named ‘Abdul’ can win in Michigan,” she told Mondoweiss.

Her hesitation is emblematic of an overarching theme in the race: Can an Arab-American win in a statewide general election in an upper Midwest swing state? Mallen was turned off by Stevens’ willingness to take dark money or corporate contributions from groups like AIPAC and DTE Energy, which have spent about $70 million attacking El Sayed. In the end, she voted for El-Sayed.

“I always liked Abdul more, and he is probably the better choice — Stevens has too much baggage and doesn’t seem to stand for a break from anything, which is what people want,” Mallen said.

Recent polls indicate El-Sayed is pulling ahead, which suggests once-undecided Michiganders like Mallen are breaking for him. He was up by as much as 18 points in polling released last week. If accurate, he would pull off a stunning upset in Tuesday’s primary. The winner takes on the Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers in the general.

Stevens Posts Bizarre, Racist Rant Against El-Sayed as He Surges Ahead in Polls

El-Sayed would arguably be the most progressive U.S. Senate member. His campaign is focused on populist economics and affordability, getting money out of politics, and Medicare for All. He is an outspoken critic of U.S. military support for not just Israel, but any foreign country. Still, he has bucked the “leftist” label, stating........

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