Michigan US Senate race: Rogers, El-Sayed urge turnout for critical race | US Midterm Elections 2026 News
Michigan Voters Head to Polls in High-Stakes Senate Race
Voters in Michigan are participating in a closely watched election that could see Democrat Abdul El-Sayed become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, potentially influencing the balance of power in the chamber.
Republican candidate Mike Rogers cast his ballot at a polling location in White Lake shortly after polls opened. El-Sayed, having voted by absentee ballot, saw his vote counted ahead of Election Day.
The candidates are vying for the seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. In the final poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, El-Sayed led Rogers by 11 points.
Polling places opened at 7 a.m. local time and will close at 8 p.m. If the results are close, officials may take longer to declare a winner. In a historic move, the U.S. Department of Justice deployed election monitors at polling sites across Michigan and all 50 states.
El-Sayed, the former head of Detroit’s health department and the son of Egyptian immigrants, has centered his campaign around progressive policies, including Medicare for All. In contrast, Rogers, a former congressman and ally of former President Donald Trump, is seeking to reclaim his political foothold after a narrow defeat to a Democrat in 2024.
For Democrats to regain control of the Senate, they need to secure four additional seats in the midterm elections. This race is considered significant not only for its potential impact on Senate control but also as a test of whether a progressive candidate critical of Israel can succeed in a swing state.
As voting commenced, both candidates made final appeals on social media. El-Sayed urged supporters to show the nation what is possible, posting a campaign video featuring former President Barack Obama. Rogers shared a video with testimonials from his supporters, emphasizing the need for a shift in leadership.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed El-Sayed after voting in New York, stating that El-Sayed addresses the issues most important to Michiganders, particularly rising costs of living.
The campaign dynamics shifted in the final days, particularly following the endorsement of Rogers by Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a fellow Democrat whom El-Sayed narrowly defeated in the primary. Stevens described her support as prioritizing “country over hate,” amidst ongoing tensions related to El-Sayed’s stance on U.S. policy towards Israel.
Stevens, a strong proponent of Israeli interests, witnessed significant backing from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which invested over $30 million to support her campaign against El-Sayed. Following her primary loss, many of Stevens’ major donors redirected their support to Rogers, contributing $9 million to a Republican group aiding his campaign.
El-Sayed has been vocal in his criticism of U.S. aid to Israel, arguing the funds would be better utilized domestically. In her comments after endorsing Rogers, Stevens affirmed her belief in the importance of voting.
In response to inquiries about the potential impact of Stevens’ endorsement, Schumer referred to her as “one vote.”
El-Sayed’s candidacy has also been marred by persistent accusations regarding his faith. Republican ads have made attempts to associate him with terrorism, a narrative amplified by former President Trump, who has made inflammatory remarks about El-Sayed.
Just hours before polling began, Trump reiterated claims on his social media platform, asserting that El-Sayed harbors animosity towards various racial groups and discouraging voters from supporting him. Trump has previously called El-Sayed derogatory names and propagated unsubstantiated claims about his affiliations.
As the election progresses, both candidates continue to emphasize the importance of their platforms, with national attention focused on the outcome in Michigan.
