Primary Election Results, US Missile Stockpiles Running Low, New Flu Vaccine

**Michelle Martin** (0:02)
As we record these words, Michigan Senate primary is too close to call.

**Steve Inskeep** (0:06)
We do have results from other primaries. What do they tell us about the lineups for this fall's elections?

**Michelle Martin** (0:12)
I'm Michelle Martin, that's Steve Inskeep, and this is Up First from NPR News.
The world's most powerful military is running short of ammunition. NPR has learned that the Army is low on long range attack missiles. What does this mean for the war in Iran and possible future conflicts?

**Steve Inskeep** (0:30)
Also, the Food and Drug Administration is deciding whether to approve the first flu vaccine using mRNA technology. It was used to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.
Voters took part in primaries in five states yesterday, but in the most closely watched Democratic primary, the results are still coming in.

**Michelle Martin** (0:55)
In Michigan, the progressive candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, has a narrow lead over Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who's described as more moderate. The winner will advance to compete for a Senate seat that is seen as a must-win if Democrats want to take control of the chamber.

**Steve Inskeep** (1:09)
NPR senior political correspondent, Tamara Keith, is with us as the results come in. Tam, good morning.

**Tamara Keith** (1:14)
Good morning.

**Steve Inskeep** (1:15)
Okay, Michigan Senate primary, we've been talking about it here. It was seen as the ultimate swing state test. Do Democrats go with a moderate or a more progressive person? Where does it stand?

**Tamara Keith** (1:26)
It's a lot closer than many were expecting. As it stands now, El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former public health official is ahead. But the fact that it is this close with massive sums spent on ads to boost Stevens means that the far left of the Democratic Party is ascendant. But like the left, right, progressive, moderate ideological spectrum doesn't quite capture it. It's also insiders versus outsiders play it safe establishment versus candidates who see their role is disrupting the system. And the mood in the country and among Democratic voters is very different from what it was during the first Trump midterm in 2018 when moderate Democrats were seen as the solution. This time Democratic primary voters blame their own party's establishment for Trump's win.

**Steve Inskeep** (2:15)
Well, now Democrats are desperate to win in November. So what do these results mean for that?

**Tamara Keith** (2:21)
No matter who comes out ahead, Democrats are going to have a lot of repair work to do.
That primary was so bitter, it left some voters saying they simply couldn't stomach a vote for the other candidate in November. The Republicans selected former Congressman Mike Rogers. He was endorsed by President Trump and cleared the field. Republicans see this as a key pickup opportunity in what could be a difficult year for them. But Rogers is an insider running in a year when the anti-establishment mood is strong and he'll have to overcome the headwinds created by an unpopular president.

**Steve Inskeep** (2:55)
Okay, as we wait for the results in Michigan, what other races are you watching?

**Tamara Keith** (2:59)
Well, Michigan's seventh congressional district is the only true toss-up house seat in the state. It's a real swing district. Democrats picked William Lawrence. He's the progressive outsider in that race. He argued that playing it safe was the real electability risk. And now that'll be put to the test. But in Washington state, Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp-Perez was able to fend off a progressive challenger.

**Steve Inskeep** (3:25)
Tam, I want to ask about one other thing. Israel is an issue for Democrats in primaries, their attitude toward Israel. Outside spending is a big deal, including groups connected to APAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
What do last night's results tell us about the results of that spending?

**Tamara Keith** (3:41)
Well, as we know, we're still waiting for the result in Michigan. But the American Democracy Project, which is linked to the pro-Israel lobbying group, APAC, spent $32 million on ads to support Hailey Stevens there. That's according to the tracking firm Ad Impact. So if she doesn't pull it out, that would be a massive defeat for them.
But in Missouri's first congressional district, where that APAC linked group was also the biggest ad spender, the APAC favorite candidate, Congressman Wesley Bell, easily defeated former Congresswoman Cori Bush in a rematch. She has been outspoken in her opposition to Israel. So what we can say for sure is that APAC has spent a ton of money on Democratic primaries this cycle, and the results have been mixed at best.

**Steve Inskeep** (4:28)
Tam, thanks so much. We'll call you back when we know more about Michigan.