Politics · October 9, 2026
Sparks fly as Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers face off in first Michigan Senate debate
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Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed met in Grand Rapids for the first of two televised debates for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. The exchange was marked by personal attacks and sharp policy disagreements regarding the war in Iran, federal gas taxes, Canadian tariffs, and healthcare. While both candidates expressed support for a temporary pause on the federal gas tax to alleviate rising costs, they sparred over their past records and personal backgrounds, including El-Sayed's medical credentials and Rogers' residency and past support for Trump administration trade policies.
Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed met in Grand Rapids for the first of two televised debates for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. The exchange was marked by personal attacks and sharp policy disagreements regarding the war in Iran, federal gas taxes, Canadian tariffs, and healthcare. While both candidates expressed support for a temporary pause on the federal gas tax to alleviate rising costs, they sparred over their past records and personal backgrounds, including El-Sayed's medical credentials and Rogers' residency and past support for Trump administration trade policies.