Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race got loud on Thursday night. In their first debate, Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded insults over gas prices, tariffs, ICE and even each other’s homes, so much that moderator Rick Albin had to ask them to tone it down. The seat, open because Sen. Gary Peters is retiring, could help decide which party controls the U.S. Senate after the Nov. 3 election.
Key takeaways
- Where: WOOD-TV studios in Grand Rapids, Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. ET; the first of two planned debates.
- Gas tax: Both candidates support pausing the federal gas tax as prices stay high during the war with Iran.
- Tariffs: Rogers now wants the trade war with Canada to end; El-Sayed cited a study putting the cost at $5,600 per Michigan household.
- ICE: El-Sayed wants to abolish the agency; Rogers called the Minneapolis operation “probably not appropriate.”
- Election Day: Nov. 3, 2026. Republicans have not won this seat since 1994.
📱 In a hurry? Swipe through our quick Web Story on this.
Who are Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed?
| Mike Rogers (R) | Abdul El-Sayed (D) | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Former congressman and ex-FBI agent; chaired the House Intelligence Committee | Physician and former Detroit health director |
| Backed by | Republican Party leaders | Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez |
| Primary | Republican nominee | Beat Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary |
| Main pitch | Calls El-Sayed’s plans unaffordable | Calls Rogers a Trump loyalist who changes positions |
Gas prices and the Iran war
The debate opened on the issue Michigan drivers feel every week: gas prices. Asked whether they would pause the federal gas tax, both candidates said yes. El-Sayed blamed high prices on the war with Iran and said Rogers had cheered it on. Rogers, who first backed the war, said he now wants it to end quickly. (Related: Trump’s diesel order to cut fuel costs.)
Tariffs, Medicare for All and ICE
New U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods took effect last month, a big deal for Michigan’s auto industry. Rogers said he now supports ending the trade war. El-Sayed pointed to a study estimating tariffs cost each Michigan household $5,600.
On health care, Rogers called El-Sayed’s support for Medicare for All “a disaster” and said, “We cannot afford Abdul.” On immigration, El-Sayed repeated his call to abolish ICE. Rogers, asked about the federal operation in Minneapolis in which two U.S. citizens were killed by federal agents, called it “probably not appropriate.”
The personal attacks
The sharpest moments were personal. Rogers called El-Sayed’s campaign “the best con I think I’ve ever seen.” El-Sayed called Rogers “weak” and “cowardly.” Each attacked the other over real estate: Rogers over his home in Florida, and El-Sayed over property his wife owns in the United Arab Emirates. Rogers mocked El-Sayed’s height, and El-Sayed challenged Rogers to a “no pads” football game. The AP reported the two kept arguing during a commercial break.
Why this race matters nationally
Recent coverage describes the race as a dead heat. Vice President JD Vance has urged Republicans to focus on El-Sayed, and President Trump has attacked him on Truth Social. El-Sayed has criticized Republicans for highlighting his ethnicity and Muslim faith. With control of the Senate at stake, both parties are expected to spend heavily in Michigan through Election Day.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Michigan Senate debate?
There was no clear winner. Coverage described the debate as combative, and each side claimed victory. Supporters of each candidate saw it differently.
When is the next Michigan Senate debate?
This was the first of two planned debates. The date of the second has not been widely reported yet.
Who is running for Senate in Michigan in 2026?
Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a physician, are running for the seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.
When is the election?
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
