Progressive Abdul El-Sayed has an early lead over Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary for Senate. The showdown is the biggest test yet of whether the progressive movement’s success in more solidly Democratic areas can extend statewide in a critical swing state.

The former chief medical officer declined questions under subpoena, saying Sen. Rand Paul has an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.”

Recent disputes with President Donald Trump have weighed on the Senate majority leader.

Julian Beaudion ended his campaign after winning the Democratic nomination in June, leaving GOP Sen. Mike Rounds with an independent challenger in November.

Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens clash in the most expensive Democratic Senate primary in history, with over $80 million spent and AIPAC at the center.

The hourlong US Senate debate featured tit-for-tat exchanges over who’s been in Washington for important votes, laughs of disbelief at assertions about the other’s records, and continued discourse on Ed Markey’s age.

Senate leaders have struck a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded past the 2026 midterm elections and avoid a shutdown in October.

The White House backs the benefits package with caveats, but its support has not resolved the funding fight.