Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers clashed in a heated first debate Thursday night, trading personal attacks as the two run in the 2026 U.S. Senate race.
The debate comes as Michiganders have already begun voting, with absentee ballots being sent out beginning Sept. 24.
The campaigns both declared the night a win for their respective candidates.
“One thing that was made clear tonight – Mike Rogers is going to win in November. Mike showcased exactly what his priority is: serving the people of Michigan,” said Rogers’ Campaign Communications Director Alyssa Brouillet. “All Conman Abdul El-Sayed gave them were lies. He continues to dodge the hard-hitting questions and to leave Michiganders without answers.”
On the flip side, El-Sayed’s campaign claimed he won the debate.
“Abdul El-Sayed dominated tonight’s U.S. Senate debate, putting Mike Rogers on the defensive over his corrupt Washington record, deep ties to corporate special interests, and full-throated support for Trump policies that are crushing Michiganders with higher costs on everything from gas and groceries to healthcare,” the Democrat’s campaign said.
On Thursday night, just 26 days before Election Day, the candidates sparred over their vision for the future of the Great Lakes state – while also attacking each other personally.
Rogers questioned El-Sayed’s claim that he is a physician, while also allegedly split loyalties and ties to terrorist groups abroad.
“He’s taken money from groups associated and support the Muslim Brotherhood,” Rogers said. “He has taken money from individuals on his campaign who openly support Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda. He’s taken money from the George Soros family.”
El-Sayed called Rogers a “rubber stamp” for President Donald Trump, also calling him out for putting pharmaceutical companies ahead of Michiganders.
“My opponent is gonna try to make this about him and about me,” El-Sayed said. “But in the end, this is about you. This is about whether you can afford your gas, your groceries, and can see a doctor. It’s about whether or not you trust your Senator to stand up for you against Trump.”
This Michigan U.S. Senate race is considered one of the most competitive contests in the nation, with millions of dollars pouring into Michigan from both parties.
Of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, 33 are up for regular election in 2026, along with two special elections. Democrats currently hold 13 of the seats on the ballot, while Republicans hold 22. That means this election cycle will determine which party controls the 120th Congress. Michigan, as a battleground state, will be on the frontlines of that decision.
In 2024, Michigan’s U.S. Senate race was decided by less than half a percentage point, with U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeating Rogers. Rogers is running again this election cycle as the Republican nominee after receiving the party’s backing unopposed.
Rogers has received the endorsement of Trump, but it’s unclear how that might affect the election.
Following the debate Thursday night, the President posted on social media in support of Rogers.
“Mike Rogers, the great American Patriot and Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, completely obliterated Mohammed El-Sayed in the big debate tonight,” Trump said. “Mohammed is a Jihadist lunatic who hates our Country, the Black People of Detroit, and wants to see the U.S. fail.”
Currently, experts consider the outcome of the race likely Democrat, while betting markets give El-Sayed a 67% chance of winning (down from 74% earlier this week).
The polling in the U.S. Senate race marks a shift from before the primary, when Rogers held the advantage over El-Sayed. Now, the most-recent polling has El-Sayed leading Rogers 47.8% to 43.8%.
That is according to the average of the five most recent polls compiled by 270toWin, with the most-recent posted on Oct. 5. The gap has widened in El-Sayed’s favor as time has passed since the Aug. 4 primary.
The next, and final, debate between El-Sayed and Rogers is currently scheduled for Oct. 21.
