Former Detroit health department director Abdul El-Sayed entered election day holding an 11-point lead in a final New York Times/Siena poll over Donald Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers. However, El-Sayed has encountered fierce resistance, including Islamophobic attacks and a major fracture within his own party after defeated primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers. Stevens cited disagreements over Israel, prompting her donor network to direct millions toward conservative advertising efforts. Rogers, who narrowly lost a Senate bid in 2024, is leveraging these divisions alongside national Republican backing to stage a political comeback.
Key points
Democrats view the Michigan race as crucial to their broader national effort to flip four…: Democrats view the Michigan race as crucial to their broader national effort to flip four seats and retake the Senate majority.
An El-Sayed victory would mark an unprecedented milestone by electing the first Muslim me…: An El-Sayed victory would mark an unprecedented milestone by electing the first Muslim member to the United States Senate.
Rogers is attempting a political comeback following his narrow 2024 Senate defeat by capi…: Rogers is attempting a political comeback following his narrow 2024 Senate defeat by capitalizing on Democratic primary divisions and Donald Trump's endorsement.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Democratic hopeful Abdul El-Sayed faces a slew of last-minute Islamophobic attacks as he seeks to unseat Trump-backed Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Michigan voters are casting their ballots in a charged, closely watched race that could make Democrat Abdul El-Sayed the first Muslim in the United States Senate and help decide control of the chamber.
Mike Rogers, his Republican opponent, cast his ballot at a polling station in White Lake, Michigan hours after polls opened. El-Sayed had already had his vote submitted and counted through an absentee ballot before Election Day.
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The two candidates seek to fill the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. A final New York Times/Siena poll placed El-Sayed 11 points ahead of Rogers going into the election.
Polls opened at 7am local time (12:00 GMT) and close at 8pm (01:00 GMT on…
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