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Who has the most at stake in Michigan’s Senate race? It may surprise you.

by Douglas Schoen and Carly Cooperman, opinion contributors - 10/26/26 8:30 AM ET

by Douglas Schoen and Carly Cooperman, opinion contributors - 10/26/26 8:30 AM ET

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., addresses the crowd during a campaign rally for Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate primary candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Conventional wisdom holds that President Trump has the most at stake in next week’s midterms. Should they win, Democrats have promised investigations, possible impeachment proceedings and sustained oversight that could dominate his final two years in office.

There is truth to that. But the stakes may be nearly as high for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and the broader progressive movement she increasingly represents.…