The state’s Democratic primary is the latest high-profile battle over the party’s future, as it seeks to chart a course back to power in Washington following Donald Trump’s victory in 2024. Can a progressive win the Michigan primary? The Michigan US Senate seat is critical for Democrats in their dark-horse quest to retake the upper chamber, where Republicans currently hold 53 of the 100 seats. Congressional seats, including one in Slotkin’s former district, are also in the mix in Michigan, with further tests of progressives’ rise. In the 13th district, Sanders boosted the state representative Donavan McKinney, who is running against the incumbent Democratic representative Shri Thanedar in the Detroit-area district.