Palestinian rights advocate and physician Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate nomination in Michigan, defeating Congresswoman Haley Stevens in results announced Wednesday. With 92.9 percent of votes counted, El-Sayed received 48.7 percent, compared with Stevens’ 47.3 percent. The contest was described as one of the most expensive and closely watched primaries in U.S. history.

According to an NBC News report cited by the source, total spending in the race approached $65 million, with much of it aimed at stopping El-Sayed’s victory. The source said the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC spent more than $30 million to support Stevens and defeat El-Sayed. State legislator Mallory McMorrow, who had earlier left the race, backed El-Sayed after his victory.

Speaking to supporters in Detroit, the 41-year-old said a larger fight lay ahead. He will face former Republican congressman Mike Rogers in November. During the campaign, El-Sayed called Israel’s military operation in Gaza “genocide” and argued that U.S. military aid to Israel should instead be invested in healthcare, housing, education and infrastructure.