Michigan’s High Stakes Dem Primary, Blanche Confirmation Latest, Max Miller Stays In: AM Update 8/5

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
Courage, I learned it from my adoptive mom.

**Mark Halperin** (0:03)
Hold my hand.

**Chuck Grassley** (0:03)
You hold my hand.

**SPEAKER_4** (0:06)
Learn about adopting a team from foster care at adoptuskids.org.

**Max Miller** (0:10)
You can't imagine the reward.

**SPEAKER_6** (0:11)
Brought to you by AdoptUSkids, the US. Department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council.

**Mark Halperin** (0:18)
Good morning, everyone. I'm Mark Calpern, host of Next Up with Mark Calpern. Filling in today for Megyn Kelly, it's Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 And this is your AM update. Michigan Democrats choosing their Senate nominee following a record-shattering primary battle over the future direction of the party.

**SPEAKER_1** (0:35)
I believe that we have addressed the concerns that I have.

**Mark Halperin** (0:39)
Acting AG Todd Blanche clearing a key Senate hurdle in his bid to get confirmed as the attorney general after two Republican holdouts forced the DOJ to scrap a controversial payout fund.

**Bernie Moreno** (0:50)
My daughter lives in constant fear of this man.

**Mark Halperin** (0:53)
President Trump reportedly losing confidence in Congressman Max Miller as the Ohio Republican denies allegations that he terrorized his former wife and seriously injured their young daughter. And a man who served 10 years for killing his own father now accused of starting Spokane's largest wildfire. All that and more coming up here on your AM Update.

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**Mark Halperin** (2:57)
Michigan voters heading to the polls yesterday in a closely watched Democratic Senate primary viewed as the latest test of the party's ideological direction. Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed facing off against more moderate establishment-backed Congresswoman Haley Stevens.
At impact tracking a record $80.9 million in advertising spending and reservations targeting the Democratic primary. About 79% of all spending in the primary supporting Congresswoman Stevens. The Washington Post reporting Congresswoman Stevens raising more than $11 million through the middle of July with donations coming from small dollar contributors as well as energy, chemical, and pro-Israel interests. APAC and its affiliated organizations pouring get this nearly $30 million into the race, according to Ad Impact, the AP calling it APAC's largest ever investment in a single election. Several additional so-called dark money organizations spending millions more without publicly disclosing their donors.
El-Said making that outside support a central argument against his opponent, telling the Washington Post and I quote, There's a reason that I'm up in nearly all the polls despite the fact that they've outspent us 20 to 130 to one. That money is corrupting on its own terms and people understand what will transpire if they support a candidate who's taking that kind of money and they don't want that anymore. Congresswoman Stevens rejecting the suggestion that the spending influences her positions, telling the AP quote, Anyone who supported me is supporting me because of my dedication to the people of Michigan and the things I have done for Michiganders. El-Sahed drawing a sharp contrast on Israel denouncing the war in Gaza and arguing APAC holds too much power inside the Democratic Party. As of 11 p.m. eastern time last night, the race still too close to call with both campaigns waiting for the final ballots to be counted. We'll have more on this later today on the MK show.