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El-Sayed, Stevens Locked In Tight Michigan Dem. Senate Primary. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired August 05, 2026 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[04:00:32]

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR: Hey everybody, thank you so much for joining me. I'm Polo Sandoval live in New York. And it is election night in America. Well, that has actually come and gone, but there is still one key race in particular that is waiting to be called at this hour.

Five states held primaries on Tuesday determining who will face off in the November midterm elections with a chance to possibly flip control of Congress. Voters went to the polls on Tuesday in Missouri, Kansas, Virginia and Washington State. But right now, all eyes remain on the crucial and battleground state of Michigan with 93 percent of the votes in for the state's Democratic Senate primary.

And it's been a close race, as you could tell here, just hours between progressive candidates Abdul El-Sayed and House Democrat Haley Stevens, who have both touted a new path forward for Democrats in the state. You see just a little over 20,000 votes that El-Sayed is ahead. Supporters earlier they heard from both of these candidates. Here's what they told their crowds in Detroit about their hopes for the future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDUL EL-SAYED, MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE: Let's come together to build a movement that's even bigger, that's even stronger, that's even more powerful, that reaches into the very depths of this state that reminds us the best of who we are and who we can be. That is the commitment I want all of us to be making as we leave here tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And we'll hear more from his opponent, Haley Stevens a little later. Our Jeff Zeleny is at Haley Stevens headquarters in Detroit with more on what she told her supporters after the polls closed.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF U.S. NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: A progressive blowout. It was not. Regardless of the outcome of this vicious Democratic primary between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and progressive public health official Abdul El-Sayed, Congresswoman Stevens addressed her supporters in the wee hours after Election Day, urging them to wait a bit longer and then warning them to come together for November.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HALEY STEVENS, MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC CANDICATE FOR U.S. SENATE: We've had a long, hard fought primary and we'll know soon who our nominee is going to be. And whoever wins is going to go and take on Mike Rogers.

Republicans are going to do everything they can to throw all the dirt, all the mud, the kitchen sink at us because they want to keep the U.S. Senate red so Mike Rogers can keep rubber stamping Donald Trump's ridiculous agenda.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: There's no doubt that this nationalized Senate race has come down to a very local matter. That is Detroit, that is Wayne County. It is the votes here that will determine whether Stevens can pull what would be considered now an upset win over Abdul El-Sayed. But regardless of the outcome, this was not a huge progressive sweep that the establishment feared. It was a very close race.

So the bottom line is it means both sides, regardless of who wins, have considerable work to do unifying the party before they take on Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for this critical Michigan Senate seat.

Jeff Zeleny, CNN, Detroit.

SANDOVAL: And joining me now from Los Angeles is Caroline Heldman, a Democratic strategist and political scientist. She's also a professor of critical theory and social justice at Occidental College.

Caroline, it's always wonderful to see you.

CAROLINE HELDMAN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST & POLITICAL SCIENTIST: Good to see you, Polo.

SANDOVAL: It's always great to have your company and analysis one election night after another as the numbers continue to change. So let's start with your initial take and your initial reaction as we continue to see numbers coming in.

HELDMAN: Well, it seems pretty clear that the Democratic socialist wave that was expected tonight is not happening, right? We saw the polling for Dr. El-Sayed way ahead. This was not supposed to be this close between this centrist Haley Stevens and the Democratic socialist candidate. But we're also seeing mixed results in other states, right? In Missouri, we saw that Cori Bush tried to regain her seat as a Democratic socialist and was unable to do so.

There are a couple of other races that are very close. But for folks who are expecting the progressive wing of the Democratic Party to sweep tonight, that just didn't happen. SANDOVAL: And to your earlier point, I mean, because the gap was expected to be so much wider and now we're seeing this narrow margin, I mean, do you think that that's telling about sort of the deep divisions within the party? And if so, you know, once we find out who moves on and wins, you know, Tuesday's contest, how does the party then coalesce again?

[04:05:21]

HELDMAN: Well, Polo, this is really a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party that we've seen over the past few years. We actually have seen the progressive wing of the Democratic Party do relatively well, right? We have the mayor in New York City, the mayor in Seattle, the mayor in Washington, D.C. but at the end of the day, progressives may do well in certain parts in Democratic strongholds, but the question is whether or not they do well against in the general primary, right up against Republican candidates.

And I will tell you that Donald Trump, the Donald Trump backed candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, chomping at the bit to get El-Sayed as his opponent. He would much rather prefer him. He can paint him, you know, with this new lens that's coming up of the socialist lens that Donald Trump has been applying and the Republican Party have been applying. So they would love to go up against progressive candidates and in many cases they will get that opportunity if it's a Democratic stronghold.

SANDOVAL: Either Abdul El-Sayed or Haley Stevens, in your view, which one of these candidates could make achieving that unity perhaps a little easier compared to the other?

HELDMAN: Well, it's been such a bloody battle in Michigan, but I really do think that it represents a much broader schism within the Democratic Party, much to do over what is happening in Gaza, right? And so you saw APAC, the pro-Israel PAC, really getting behind Haley Stevens. A lot of just brutal barbs back and forth during this primary.

I think both of these candidates, whoever wins tomorrow, I would imagine that they're going to turn around and immediately try to bring the party together because that's really the only hope going against, you know, a Trump endorsed Republican candidate.

SANDOVAL: Do you think these two candidates could potentially appear together on the campaign trail leading up to November?

HELDMAN: Oh, yes, I would imagine that they would be doing that. Maybe, you know, the tense feelings, I mean, anyone who's worked on a campaign, you have to bury those --

SANDOVAL: Right.

HELDMAN: -- down deep. But yes, I would imagine that they will come together like that because if you look at the path for Democrats and this -- in the Senate, they need to gain four seats. That does not include Michigan. They have to hold on to this Michigan seat because it's being vacated by a Democrat. And so the path to taking control of the Senate for Democrats really runs through the Midwest, through these states that Donald Trump was able to take back in the 2024 election.

And we know in Michigan in particular, Kamala Harris lost by 1.4 percentage points as Donald Trump took that state back. And that had much to do with the progressive wing being very critical of the stance of the Biden administration, including Kamala Harris's stance in 2024. So all roads lead through Michigan when it comes to Democrats taking the Senate.

SANDOVAL: Caroline, I wonder if we can close with voter turnout out of Michigan. It was -- it was -- it does appear to be impressive. I see here that once all the results are in, that the numbers could potentially either approach or surpass that record 1.5 million votes back in 2020. Obviously, high turnout doesn't necessarily tell us everything about what we can expect come November.

But just considering those alone, I mean, does it speak to the energy among Michigan Democrats, especially progressives in that state?

HELDMAN: I think it does. And I think it's very clear to Michiganders that this is a national contest, right? While it might be a focus on their particular state, and obviously they're the only folks going to the polls, they know the national implications of this. So I think it bodes well for the Democratic Party that you have such high turnout in the primary. I expect to see a pretty high turnout, if not historic turnout in, you know, the upcoming elections in November given what's at stake.

When you look at the enthusiasm numbers, Democrats are, you know, far above Republicans, mostly, I think because Donald Trump's approval ratings are so low, right around 34 percent. And about 63 percent of Americans think that we're headed in the wrong direction. It's hard to get your folks to turn out to the polls with such low support or favorability ratings at the top. Not an issue on the Democratic side.

SANDOVAL: Yes. And again, just to show our viewers, with 93 percent of those person's (ph) reporting only 20,000 votes, roughly 20,000 votes separating Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, 4:00 a.m. there in Detroit. Clearly, though, those numbers continue to be counted.

Caroline Heldman, thank you so much for joining us.

HELDMAN: Thank you, Polo.

[04:10:00]

SANDOVAL: Russian forces are targeting -- Russian forces are targeting Kyiv with waves of ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials say that 17 people were killed early on Wednesday and that more than 50 others were wounded. Fires broke out across the Ukrainian capital with missiles destroying buildings as residents were sleeping inside. Officials are warning that the threat of more than more of those -- more strikes, that threat remains. Search and rescue teams, right now, they are looking through all the rubble trying to find people that are trapped. This latest attack comes as Ukraine faces a low stockpile of missile interceptors. The Ukrainian Air Force saying that Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles and four anti-ship missiles overnight, but did not say whether they were intercepted.

President Trump claiming that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened soon or that he would launch a new strike against Iran. And this comes as Qatar says efforts to end the conflict between the U.S. and Iran are in very progressive stages. Mediators are currently focusing on finding a short term resolution that would bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table.

In the meantime, sources are telling us that the U.S. military has used up nearly 80 percent of its interceptors for a key missile defense system. And all this as a senior military commander as they are warning of dangerously low munitions stockpiles. Gulf allies are also sounding the alarm about how a shortage of air defense systems could possibly impact their ability to intercept potential Iranian strikes. That's if President Trump decides to escalate the war. CNN's Leila Gharagozlou joining me from London.

Morning, Leila.

LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: Hi, how are you? Yes, so we're getting a few more details when it comes to Oman and this Iranian deal. And President Trump just yesterday said that he feels that a deal is quite close. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the Strait of Hormuz, Axios is reporting that you might open as soon as tomorrow?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Could happen. Tomorrow or the next day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tomorrow --

TRUMP: A lot of progress has been made.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GHARAGOZLOU: Now, the Iranians have not really said very much about how things are going. They have been very clear that this is going to be a bilateral agreement and that the U.S. isn't who they are talking to directly. As you mentioned, the Qataris have also been rather optimistic, although they have hedged what they're seeing going on with this deal by saying that it is progressing forward. But it's very unclear how things are going to go.

What we do know is that this is going to be an interim deal. One of the Iranian negotiators just yesterday said that it would be about one to three months, most likely around 60 days. And that's kind of where this deal would lie as they try to look forward to some other more substantial deal.

Now a lot of analysts that I've spoken to over the last 24 hours have said that this could be a way of reviving the now collapsed MOU and getting things back on track to have some sort of discussion over those more difficult issues like the missiles program that Iran has or the nuclear program. But in the meantime, they're really focused on finding a way to alleviate the economic pain that we're seeing from the strait being closed, Polo.

SANDOVAL: Progressive stages. That could mean actual progress. We'll have to see though if that turns out to be the case. Leila Gharagozlou, thank you so much for your reporting.

Still to come, part of this SpaceX rocket was expected to crash into the moon. What NASA is hoping to learn from this highly unusual event. And also hundreds of people flee their homes as one of the most active volcanoes in Central America erupts outside the Guatemalan capital. Details on the way. You're watching CNN Newsroom.

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[04:17:42]

SANDOVAL: Welcome back to CNN Newsroom. Want to check back on some of these live results coming out of the critical state of Michigan. With now 94 percent of the votes are in for the state's Democratic Senate primary. And as you can see here is a very close one. A little over 20,000 votes separating Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens.

These candidates have both touted a new path forward for Democrats in their state. The one who advances to the critical midterm contests will face off against Republican Mike Rogers.

And we're also following -- and we're also following the latest developments on the Washington state wildfires. Thirty-seven-year-old Aaron Farinacci, a convicted felon, is now charged with first degree arson in connection with one of the three major wildfires that are currently burning in Spokane County. His arraignment set for Thursday. He was arrested on Monday after investigators said that he was spotted kneeling in the grassy area where the fire started over the weekend. They say that he had waterproof matches and a lighter on him.

The Spokane fires have now burned more than 10,000 acres since they broke out on Saturday. I mean, look at this firefighter's point of view and what looks like a war zone. Hundreds of homes and other structures have been destroyed and authorities are saying that thousands more are at risk. About 65,000 residents were forced to evacuate.

And officials say that 14 people who initially could not be reached have now been safely found. They've been contacted and no injuries or deaths have been reported there in Washington.

Want to go to Greece now where firefighters are racing to strengthen containment lines west of Athens as more heat and high winds are expected in the coming days. Officials are saying that several fires were brought under control in mountain and coastal areas just outside of the Greek capital where the winds stayed relatively calm recently. Let's go to journalist Elinda Labropoulou, who joins me from part of Greece.

So, Elinda, what is the very latest coming out of Greece?

ELINDA LABROPOULOU, JOURNALIST: Well, the good news that we've had today is that this mega fire has been contained. At the moment, there are no rekindlings, but of course, firefighters have been working throughout the night. Over 500 people have been on the ground trying to make sure the clearing the areas, making sure that no more problems arise. And as soon as we had daylight, we had the aircraft jump into the fight as well.

[04:20:06]

So at the moment, things are looking good. It also means that residents are coming back to at least the areas that are safe now. Assessments have begun. We know that over 100 houses have been completely destroyed. The government has already announced some measures to help those affected.

And the causes of the fire are also being assessed. Two people have been arrested in connection to this mega fire that indications are that it is linked to a faulty power line in a private wind farm. We'll be getting more on that as this investigation continues. But for now, we're also getting the first figures of the immense devastation that this fire has caused. And the Athens Observatory is now estimating that with this fire, we're looking at 42 percent of Greater Athens forested areas having been destroyed in just nine years.

As you understand, the scale is immense. There have been 15 big fires in the area in that time. And the worst ones, the worst affected area is western Greater Athens, the area that this fire was as well, Polo.

SANDOVAL: That is an absolutely heartbreaking figure. It is telling, especially when you couple it with some of those heartbreaking images that we're also seeing. But nonetheless, that's two consecutive days of some promising developments, so let's hope for a third.

Elinda Labropoulou, thank you so much as always for all your reporting.

And hundreds of people are fleeing their homes in Guatemala, and this is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, enters its most intense phase of eruption. The Fuego Volcano is about 50 kilometers southwest of the capital, Guatemala City. And it's been spewing lava like this, as well as some ash since Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): During the day, you can't see it, but at night, it's a serious thing, so you can't sleep. You stay alert to anything. But it is more dangerous tonight because you can see it, because for a moment it wasn't making noise, but the little red bits go all the way down. And then since it has a clear path, it's scary.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: One of several people waiting in shelters at this hour. And three regions are under red alerts as authorities are urging people to move into some of these facilities, some of these shelters. Guatemala's defense minister says its security forces will patrol evacuated areas to prevent looting, which is what many people say is keeping them from leaving their homes.

A few thousand migrants are stranded in Spain's Ceuta territory in Northern Africa. Aid workers saying that many are fleeing war, poverty and violence from countries including Sudan, Mali and Yemen. But after the historic border rush into the tiny Spanish enclave, there are other parts of that enclave that have now gone back to normal. As CNN's Portugal Correspondent Helena Lins explains.

HELENA LINS, CNN PORTUGAL REPORTER: One could say there are two Ceutas at the moment while thousands of migrants are stranded on the beach or wandering in the streets of the neighborhoods. Here at the center, locals are celebrating their patron saints. Just me is the Virgin of Africa. And today locals come here to lay flowers. They've been doing that for a few hours now.

And the next day will be the day of the procession. This is the religious moment of this celebration that after that would give room for 10 days of cultural events, some entertainment around Ceuta. Those have been canceled because of the migrant crisis, because of security reasons.

So this is a sign of normality returning to Ceuta but also not everything has come back to normal. And this is an example, these 10 days of celebrations being canceled only keeping the religious celebrations. As I said, migrants continue to be here in Ceuta. Many have decided not to go back for now. There are -- a lot of them are from Sub-Saharan Africa. They say they have nothing to go back to.

They talk about war in their countries. So they are still staying here and waiting for help. They hope to be able to claim asylum and enter the center to continue the process.

SANDOVAL: All right. Thanks for that report.

[04:24:25]

And calls are currently growing for embattled Republican Max Miller to leave Congress amid allegations of domestic abuse. We'll bring you the latest developments in a moment.

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SANDOVAL: Michigan is inching closer to the final results of a tightly contested Democratic senate primary. Right now, some of the results, about 94 percent of votes have been counted thus far. In fact, that number went up just a few minutes ago. And it seems a progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed holding onto a narrow lead over House Democrat Haley Stevens.

Earlier, El-Sayed addressed his supporters in Detroit. He told the crowd that if he wins, he's determined to beat former House Republican Mike Rogers come the November midterms.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EL-SAYED: So as folks ask, if and when we win this race, how are you going to beat Mike Rogers and their money? I want you to remind them that if we come through this, when we come through this, inshallah. That will have taken $70 million on the chin and kept fighting back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: More on the Michigan primary in a moment. But right now, Republican Congressman Max Miller is refusing to drop his reelection bid as he faces abuse allegations. And they're coming from his ex- wife, Emily Moreno, allegations that the congressman denies. Moreno has accused Miller of multiple instances of domestic abuse, including an incident in which she says that he held a gun to her.

Well, those allegations were revealed during a police interview as detectives looked into how the couple's young daughter broke her collarbone. No charges were ever filed in connection to the injuries on the little girl.

But separately, Miller's attorney is now apologizing for releasing a sensitive image of the congressman's child in documents shared online. And all of this is happening as he faces a reelection in Ohio's 7th congressional district, which is a GOP stronghold.

Meanwhile, his ex-father in law, Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, is calling on Miller to leave Congress altogether. On Tuesday, he told reporters that all of this has been, quote, "the seventh level of hell" for his entire family.

Miller has also denied allegations that he abused ex-girlfriend Stephanie Grisham.