Michigan Democrats on Friday called on voters to unite behind their statewide candidates, just three days after a fiercely contested U.S. Senate primary exposed deep rifts between the party's progressive and moderate factions.

A lineup of Democratic nominees and prominent party figures struck a unifying tone before a crowd of more than 1,000 gathered in a Detroit high school gymnasium. The loudest applause went to Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official and 2018 gubernatorial candidate who narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in one of the most closely watched primaries of the cycle for an open Senate seat.

"Michigan, we will fight to build the America that we are proud to hand off to our kids and our grandkids," El-Sayed declared from a podium set beneath the gym's scoreboard.

With under three months remaining before the November general election — where El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman and House Intelligence Committee chairman who was the GOP's Senate nominee in 2024 — the Democratic Party faces mounting pressure to close ranks in a contest that could tip the balance of Senate control. Open Senate seats in battleground states are rare, and the outcome here will be central to determining which party holds the majority next term.

"In the spirit of coming together, I want to thank both of my colleagues who ran, Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow, for an incredible race," El-Sayed said. State Sen. McMorrow — who gained a national following after a 2022 floor speech pushing back against Republican attacks went viral — suspended her campaign in July and joined El-Sayed at a Wednesday appearance following his victory.

The Senate seat became open after incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced he would not seek reelection. Michigan remains a perennial battleground, having backed Donald Trump in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Trump again in 2024.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — a Michigan resident and potential 2028 presidential contender — underscored the race's national significance, drawing enthusiastic cheers.

"The stakes are high, and people from around the country, people from around the world, are watching the state of Michigan right now to see if we have the capability to put together that coalition to win," Buttigieg said. "And we will win."

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor, highlighted a Trump administration effort to access state voters' personal data. A federal judge ruled in June that Michigan was not required to share the information with the federal government. Benson comfortably secured her party's nomination and will face Trump-backed Rep. John James in the general election.

"You all know who I work for. All of you and every Michigander in this state — not the highest bidder, not corporate interests, not Donald Trump," Benson said.

Other statewide candidates addressing the rally included Eli Savit, running for attorney general, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, running for secretary of state. The crowd stomped on the gymnasium bleachers and erupted in cheers whenever speakers touched on reproductive rights, voter protections, and resistance to the Trump administration.

Before the event began, attendee Tom Moran held a banner reading "Unite behind the winner." The 71-year-old school bus driver from Fenton, Michigan, had voted for Stevens in the primary.

"Now I'm saying, take the pledge. Unite behind our nominee," Moran said.

The primary clash between El-Sayed and Stevens frequently turned personal. In early July, El-Sayed told Semafor that Stevens couldn't "string together two coherent sentences." In a separate interview, he labeled her "the least capable candidate in America."

Stevens fired back, accusing El-Sayed of pursuing celebrity.

"I'm the only one on this stage who doesn't have a talent agent trying to pitch me for paid speeches," she said during a debate. "And unlike my opponent, I'm not running at the first mic or camera I see."

Stevens, who lost the primary by just under one percentage point, told CBS News on Thursday that she was prepared to campaign alongside El-Sayed.

"Whatever he wants me to do," she said. The two appeared together Thursday at a breakfast organized by the Michigan Democratic Party.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com.