DSA brand on trial as El-Sayed struggles where Dems can least afford it

A combustible and divisive Democratic Senate primary in battleground Michigan is giving Republicans an early edge as they aim to flip a crucial Democrat-held seat in the midterm elections.

A Fox News poll conducted after this month's primary showdown, in which left-wing candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly edged more moderate Democratic Rep.

Haley Stevens to capture the party's nomination in the race to defend the seat held by retiring Sen.

Gary Peters, indicates El-Sayed is having difficulty unifying the Democratic base.

That appears to be giving Republican nominee and former Rep.

Mike Rogers more ammunition to court Democrats uncomfortable with some of El-Sayed's controversial past comments and far-left policy positions.

Democrats must hold the swing state seat as part of their uphill climb to win back the Senate majority from the GOP.

HEAD HERE FOR ALL OF THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLS According to a Fox News survey of Michigan registered voters conducted Aug.

6-10 and released this week, Rogers held a 51%-47% edge over El-Sayed, within the survey’s margin of sampling error.

Rogers’ edge is fueled largely by stronger party unity among Republicans.

Nearly all Republicans (96%), including both MAGA (99%) and non-MAGA Republicans (89%), backed Rogers, the poll indicates.

El-Sayed's support among Democrats is slightly lower, at 91%.

While 98% of self-described Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) supporters backed El-Sayed, that number dropped to 69% of non-DSA Democrats and independents.

WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN: CHECK OUT THE FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS ON THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS Meanwhile, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the more moderate Democratic gubernatorial nominee in the race to succeed term-limited Gov.