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5 min readIn a Michigan primary that stunned the Democratic establishment, former public health official and podcaster Abdul El-Sayed won his party’s nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat, defeating four-term Representative Haley Stevens. The result was not a landslide—El-Sayed took less than 50 percent of the vote—but it was a signal that the left wing of the Democratic Party can compete in a true swing state, not just in deep-blue urban strongholds. The Economist’s John Prideaux, host of the Checks and Balance podcast, argues that this victory is the most significant win for the progressive left in the current primary season, and it raises real questions about the party’s electability in November.
The candidate and his platform
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:36) **Michigan Primary as a Bellwether** - Jason introduces the episode’s focus on Michigan’s primary results as a signal of a major shift within the Democratic Party.
- 2 (03:39) **Who Is Abdul El-Sayed?** - A profile of the candidate and the policies that define his campaign.
- 3 (05:39) **Why This Win Matters: Geography and Electorate** - The significance of this victory lies in Michigan’s status as a true swing state.
- 4 (06:47) **The Senate Stakes: Harder for Democrats** - The primary win makes it more difficult for Democrats to retain a crucial Senate seat.
- 5 (08:50) **The Republican Opponent: Mike Rogers** - A profile of the unexciting but traditional Republican nominee.
- 6 (09:34) **The Left vs. Center Battle Continues** - El-Sayed’s win gives the Democratic Socialists of America a “real shot in the arm,” but the conflict is not settled.
- 7 (13:45) **China’s Yangtze River Recovery** - Gabriel Crossley reports on a remarkable, state-enforced environmental comeback.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
We examine one of America’s primary races, in which a sharply lefty candidate beat the establishment figure. What does that reveal about changes in the Democratic Party? For decades China’s Yangtze River was a polluted, overfished mess. We look at the wins from cleaning it up—and who loses. And a fond look back at postcards as they fade from use.
Guests and host:
- John Prideaux, executive editor and host, “Checks and Balance”
- Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent
- Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
- Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
- America’s primary season, Democratic Socialists of America, Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed
- China, Yangtze River, remediation
- postcards, second world war, British history
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