Michigan’s primary reflects a Democratic base transforming in Trump 2.0: From the Politics Desk

From the Politics DeskMichigan’s primary reflects a Democratic base transforming in Trump 2.0: From the Politics DeskPlus, Todd Blanche’s AG nomination is back on track ahead of a key committee vote.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to Google‘Outsider’ vs. ‘Midwestern gal’: Michigan Democrats make final pitch in high-stakes Senate race09:58Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleAug. 3, 2026, 5:06 PM EDTBy The Politics DeskWelcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.In today’s edition, Sahil Kapur digs into the broader stakes of tomorrow’s Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Plus, we have the latest on Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination ahead of a key committee vote. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.— Adam WollnerMichigan’s primary reflects a Democratic base transforming in Trump 2.0Analysis by Sahil KapurEight years ago, Democrats Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed both ran for office in Michigan.Stevens won her 2018 House race, while El-Sayed lost his primary for governor. Stevens’ brand of politics was ascendant: a middle-of-the-road Democrat preaching experience, moderation and results. El-Sayed’s pitch for transformative change and universal healthcare fell short in the purple state.Tomorrow, the two will square off in a hotly contested Senate primary with huge national implications for the rest of Donald Trump’s presidency — and beyond. Both have stayed true to their 2018 brands. And now, El-Sayed has led Stevens by double digits in several recent polls. Such a result would highlight how much the political landscape has transformed since the last midterm in which Trump was in office.When asked what changed between 2018 and 2026, El-Sayed strategist Rebecca Katz told NBC News, “Trump won again.”In 2018, Democrats largely saw Trump as an anomaly...