The Democrats need to win Michigan… so why is it splitting the party?

The Democrats need to win Michigan… so why is it splitting the party?

Author: BBC News July 31, 2026 Duration: 33:42

The Democrats almost certainly need to win the Senate race in Michigan if they are to take control of Congress in November’s midterm elections but picking a candidate is exposing a stark choice for the party. Next week party members in the state will decide between a left wing candidate backed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and a centrist candidate backed by establishment Democrats like Gretchen Whitmer.

It's opened up a debate about whether the success of other progressive candidates like Zohran Mamdani could be replicated across the country as the Democrats build a strategy to take on the Republicans at the midterms and beyond.

Just how important is the race in Michigan for the Democrats, and will the outcome have an outsized role in deciding how they approach the 2028 presidential election?

HOSTS:

- Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter - Sumi Somaskanda, BBC News chief presenter

GET IN TOUCH:

- Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB - Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 - Email Americast@bbc.co.uk - Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Ben Andews. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

Newscast: bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd


Trying to make sense of American politics can feel like navigating a maze. Americast, from BBC News, cuts through the noise with a perspective that’s both grounded and far-reaching. You’ll hear from seasoned correspondents like the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, and presenter Justin Webb, who bring decades of experience to the conversation. This isn’t just a recap of headlines; it’s about understanding the forces shaping the United States, from the granular details observed on the ground to the wider historical and social currents at play. The team delves into everything from election campaigns and policy debates to the complex role of disinformation and social media, offering clarity on the stories that define the nation week to week. Relying on the BBC’s global network of journalists, this podcast provides analysis that connects local events to their international significance. For anyone looking to move beyond the soundbites and gain a more nuanced view of American government and society, tuning into this weekly discussion offers a valuable and authoritative resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Americast
Podcast Episodes
How will Trump’s former personal lawyer run the US justice department? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:51
Attorney General Todd Blanche won’t pledge to act “independently” from the White House during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. Trump’s former personal attorney said no attorney general should ever “pledge” to act…
Is AOC ready to run for president? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez laying the groundwork for a run for president in 2028? And would the Democrats really pick her as a nominee?This week AOC has been back making headlines with comments over freezing her eggs, d…
Has Trump lost ‘Make America Healthy Again’ voters? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
Why does Donald Trump want to limit childhood vaccines, and does it risk alienating voters in key districts ahead of the midterm elections?On Monday, Donald Trump signed a new executive order from the Oval Office that ca…
Why the Democrats may never be the same again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:01
Could Abdul El-Sayed’s left-wing victory in Michigan cause the Democrat party to split? Democrats are contemplating whether its left-wing candidates are capable of beating Trump-backed Republicans in the midterms and bey…
What the Reflecting Pool tells us about Trump’s presidency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:33
Why has one of Washington DC’s most famous landmarks become symbolic of the Trump presidency?The renovation and subsequent damage to the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC gives an insight into Dona…