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First debate with Mike Rogers will be a key test for Abdul El-Sayed

Rogers is trying to distinguish himself from Trump while making the case that El-Sayed is too far left.

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Outlet credibilityUSA Today80/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
USA Today
Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers are set to meet in Michigan’s first Senate debate, with El-Sayed facing questions about unifying Democrats and Rogers seeking to appeal to voters wary of Trump administration policies. Recent polling shows a close race.

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VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Mike Rogers R · MI
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Rogers in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Rogers’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Republican Senate candidate opposing Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate facing Mike Rogers in Michigan’s first Senate debate

El-Sayed's version of this story ↗

Democratic representative and El-Sayed’s former opponent in the party primary

Elissa Slotkin
D · MI · SEN

Michigan senator cited as a past opponent of Rogers and a supporter of El-Sayed

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration’s policies are invoked in the candidates’ campaign arguments

Former president referenced in the account of El-Sayed’s past support for the Uncommitted Movement

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Former vice president who endorsed and campaigned with El-Sayed

Representative quoted at a fundraiser for El-Sayed

Gary C. Peters
D · MI · SEN

Retiring Democratic senator whose seat is being contested

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former president scheduled to rally with El-Sayed and Democrats’ gubernatorial nominee; Dana Nessel, Michigan attorney general and supporter of El-Sayed; Jocelyn Benson, Democratic gubernatorial nominee scheduled to rally with El-Sayed and Barack Obama

Part of a bigger story

13 OUTLETS
Trump Voter Panel Favors El-Sayed Over Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

A panel of 10 Michigan Trump voters showed five of the six who had decided favoring Abdul El-Sayed over Mike Rogers in the Senate race, with one backing Rogers. Left-leaning outlets frame the result as a sign of Rogers’s vulnerability, emphasizing Trump voters’ doubts. Center outlets report the panel’s preference while noting undecided voters and placing the race in broader polling or debate context.

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