Politics · United States · 19 mins ago
Michigan Senate rivals trade personal attacks in final debate
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers faced off in their final debate before Election Day in Michigan’s Senate race.
The contest could help determine which party controls the Senate, and Rogers is running in a state governed by Democrats while allied with an unpopular President Donald Trump.
Rogers questioned El-Sayed’s loyalty to the United States, citing his Muslim faith and making claims about his donors and alleged links to extremist groups.
El-Sayed rejected the accusations as shameful and said his commitment to the Constitution and the country should not be questioned.
Rogers also argued El-Sayed is too far left, while appealing to supporters of his defeated primary rival; El-Sayed describes himself as a capitalist and is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The candidates disputed whether voters can trust El-Sayed, with each accusing the other of dishonesty.
Michigan voters will decide the race on Election Day, and its outcome could affect control of the Senate.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers clashed in their final debate in a closely watched Michigan Senate race.
Rogers questioned El-Sayed’s loyalty to the United States and linked him to the Muslim Brotherhood, allegations El-Sayed denied.
El-Sayed accused Rogers of attacking him unfairly and tied Rogers to President Donald Trump.
The candidates also disputed policy, including Trump’s tariffs, immigration enforcement and the effect of the war with Iran on prices.
The debate was less contentious than their previous encounter on Oct. 8, according to the Associated Press.
- Who
- Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers.
- What
- They clashed in their final debate for a Michigan U.S. Senate seat.
- When
- Wednesday, before the November election. The article does not give the debate’s calendar date.
- Where
- Michigan. The debate’s specific venue is not stated.
- Why
- They were competing for a Senate seat in a closely watched race and challenged each other’s loyalties and policies.
Abdul El-Sayed
Mike Rogers
Loyalty to the country
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed said he was proud to be American and to support the Constitution.
Mike Rogers
Rogers questioned whether El-Sayed was for America or for overseas terrorist groups.
Political record and policies
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed accused Rogers of using attacks as a distraction and tied him to Trump.
Mike Rogers
Rogers argued El-Sayed’s progressive policies were too extreme for Michigan.
Trump and the economy
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed blamed Trump’s war with Iran for higher gas and grocery prices.
Mike Rogers
Rogers called Trump’s tariffs a “mixed bag,” questioned tariffs on Canada and praised Trump’s immigration enforcement.
The candidates held an earlier debate that devolved into personal insults and attacks, according to AP.
El-Sayed and Rogers held their final Senate debate.
Former President Barack Obama was scheduled to rally in Detroit.
Donald Trump was scheduled to rally in Detroit.
- Candidates
- Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers
- Race
- Michigan U.S. Senate seat
- Earlier debate
- Oct. 8
- Rogers’s tariff assessment
- Mixed bag
- El-Sayed’s potential first
- Would be the country’s first Muslim senator
4 sources
MAGA Bingo and Questions of Loyalty: 5 Michigan Senate Debate Takeaways
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What people are saying
If you are going to go to the United States Senate, we need to know: Are you for America, or are you for these terrorist groups overseas?
The bingo game ought to be how many times can he put the word Trump in any answer.
I’m proud of our Constitution that guarantees all of us the right to pray as we choose to pray.
Those playing MAGA bingo at home, you just heard like three of the buzzwords.