Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed confronts GOP attacks while touring the state
Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced a town-hall audience in Port Huron and later called his Republican rival Mike Rogers a coward, while Republicans ramp up negative ads against him.
During a town-hall meeting in Port Huron, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed expressed sympathy for a woman who had undergone emergency brain surgery and outlined his health-care proposals, then later labeled Republican rival Mike Rogers a coward in a separate interview. He also mocked President Donald Trump, urging him to visit Michigan. Republicans have poured more money into the contest, outspending Democrats by about $15 million, with roughly $40 million of GOP spending directed at negative advertising that paints El-Sayed as a radical.
The ads link him to past calls to defund the police, immigration reform, and a controversial online streamer. El-Sayed’s grassroots strategy includes over 500 events across more than 100 Michigan cities, aiming to connect with voters personally. The race has become a national litmus test for progressive politics, attracting support from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and an upcoming appearance by former President Barack Obama.
Why it matters
The Michigan Senate race could determine Senate control and reflects broader national debates over progressive policies.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Joe Concha accuses Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed of political double-talk
- Oct 3 A Rasmussen Reports poll now shows El‑Sayed leading Rogers 47% to 44%.
- Oct 9 The first televised debate between the Michigan Senate hopefuls was held Thursday night.
- Oct 10 Trump posted on Truth Social after the debate, claiming Rogers completely dominated and calling El‑Sayed a jihadist lunatic.
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