--- title: "El-Sayed vs. Rogers: 2026 Michigan Senate race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-mi" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Michigan Senate race: Abdul El-Sayed (D) vs. Mike Rogers (R) Rating: Toss-up · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 The 2026 Michigan U.S. Senate election features Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and public health official, against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former U.S. Representative and FBI agent, competing for the open seat created by incumbent Senator Gary Peters' retirement. In a presidential battleground state carried by Donald Trump in 2024 after Joe Biden won it in 2020, this race is central to determining partisan control of the chamber. Campaign dynamics center on El-Sayed's progressive platform—including Medicare for All and banning corporate campaign contributions—versus Rogers' alignment with Donald Trump, deregulation agenda, and national security background. ## Candidates - **Abdul El-Sayed** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://abdulforsenate.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Abdul_El-Sayed) - **Mike Rogers** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://rogersforsenate.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Michigan%29) ## Issues ### Healthcare & Medicare Salience: high El-Sayed advocates replacing private health insurance with a single-payer Medicare for All system and canceling medical debt, while Rogers favors market-based reforms and protecting traditional Medicare without expanding federal healthcare mandates. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports Medicare for All and medical debt cancellation El-Sayed advocates for a single-payer Medicare for All healthcare system to guarantee universal coverage and eliminate copays and deductibles. He supports eliminating medical debt nationwide and breaking up major healthcare corporations to lower prescription drug prices. - Sponsor legislation to enact a single-payer Medicare for All system nationwide - Eliminate medical debt across the country, building on his work canceling debt for 300,000 Wayne County residents - Lower drug costs by negotiating prescription prices and curbing administrative waste - Protect reproductive and LGBTQ+ healthcare freedoms > “I literally wrote the book on Medicare for All because healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. ... I will sponsor legislation to enact M4A and eliminate medical debt nationwide.” > — Abdul El-Sayed, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Abdul_El-Sayed) **Mike Rogers:** Supports protecting Medicare and market-based drug cost reduction Rogers emphasizes protecting traditional Medicare and Social Security benefits for seniors while lowering prescription drug prices. His congressional record includes co-authoring legislation to repeal Medicare spending cuts in the Affordable Care Act and supporting Medicare Part D. - Protect seniors' Social Security and Medicare benefits from government cuts - Lower prescription drug costs through market-based competition - Co-authored legislation in Congress to repeal Affordable Care Act Medicare cuts - Passed pediatric drug research legislation to improve drug safety for children > “I’ll always put America and Michigan first. That means bringing manufacturing jobs back home, lowering the cost of gas, groceries, & prescription drugs, protecting seniors’ social security & medicare, and setting our kids up for success by prioritizing education not indoctrination.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Michigan%29) ### Cost of Living & Economy Salience: high El-Sayed proposes lowering costs by taxing billionaires and cracking down on corporate price-gouging, whereas Rogers advocates cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and increasing domestic energy output. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports taxing billionaires and empowering labor unions El-Sayed targets the affordability crisis by proposing wealth taxes on billionaires, enforcing antitrust laws to stop corporate price-gouging, and strengthening labor unions through the PRO Act. He supports bringing manufacturing back through fair trade policies while rejecting broad tariffs. - Tax billionaire wealth to fund infrastructure, public education, and healthcare - Pass the PRO Act to guarantee workers' rights to organize and earn fair wages - Enforce antitrust regulations to prevent corporate price-gouging on household goods - Reject bad trade deals and broad tariffs while building manufacturing in Michigan > “The affordability crisis has made it too hard for working people to get by.” > — Abdul El-Sayed, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Abdul_El-Sayed) > “Bring good jobs back home. No more bad trade deals. No dumb tariffs. Stop the wars. Invest here. Build things in Michigan again.” > — Abdul El-Sayed, via [Campaign site](https://abdulforsenate.com/) **Mike Rogers:** Supports tax cuts, deregulation, and domestic manufacturing Rogers focuses on lowering inflation and the cost of everyday goods by reducing business tax burdens, rolling back federal regulations, and expanding energy production. He stresses bringing manufacturing jobs back to Michigan and highlighted his congressional vote against the Wall Street bailout. - Bring manufacturing jobs back home to Michigan - Lower prices on gas, groceries, and basic living essentials through energy development and tax relief - Reduce federal regulations and tax burdens on employers to encourage hiring - Voted against the Wall Street bailout during his time in Congress > “I’ll always put America and Michigan first. That means bringing manufacturing jobs back home, lowering the cost of gas, groceries, & prescription drugs, protecting seniors’ social security & medicare, and setting our kids up for success by prioritizing education not indoctrination.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Michigan%29) ### Housing & Homeownership Salience: high Rogers offers a market-driven housing plan centered on tax-free 529 savings down payments and builder tax zones, while El-Sayed supports direct federal investments to expand affordable housing and address homelessness. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports federal investments in affordable housing El-Sayed classifies housing affordability and homelessness as core priorities in his economic agenda, supporting federal investments to expand affordable housing stock for working families. - Expand federal support and investments for affordable housing development - Implement federal initiatives to address homelessness and housing costs **Mike Rogers:** Supports 529 plan expansion and builder tax incentives Rogers introduced a dedicated housing plan aimed at assisting first-time buyers and sparking homebuilding. His plan expands 529 savings plans to cover home down payments tax-free, allows rent payments to build credit, and creates 100% tax-free residential construction zones. - Expand 529 plans to cover first-time home down payments and first-year property taxes tax-free - Allow families to build credit for timely rent payments and defer student loans while saving for a down payment - Roll back federal regulations that increase housing construction costs - Establish residential housing zones offering 100% tax-free incentives for new home construction > “assists with downpayments by expanding 529 plans to housing, lowers interest rates by allowing families to build credit for timely payments, brings down purchase prices by ending excessive Democrat regulations, \[and\] encourages new homebuilding by adding incentives for homebuilders.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Michigan%29) ### Foreign Policy & Defense Salience: high El-Sayed favors ending foreign wars and re-evaluating aid to Israel, whereas Rogers advocates for strong national defense, countering China, and aligning with Donald Trump's foreign policy. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports diplomacy, ending foreign wars, and re-evaluating aid to Israel El-Sayed champions a diplomacy-centered foreign policy focused on human rights and justice. He advocates stopping foreign wars to reinvest resources domestically and has publicly criticized U.S. military aid to Israel. - End foreign military engagements and redirect defense resources to domestic investments - Criticize U.S. military aid to Israel and the political influence of groups like AIPAC - Pursue diplomacy-first international relations > “Bring good jobs back home. No more bad trade deals. No dumb tariffs. Stop the wars. Invest here. Build things in Michigan again.” > — Abdul El-Sayed, via [Campaign site](https://abdulforsenate.com/) **Mike Rogers:** Supports America First security and strong national defense Rogers leverages his background as House Intelligence Committee Chairman and an FBI agent to advocate for strong national security and alignment with Donald Trump's foreign policy. He emphasizes countering intelligence threats from China and maintaining robust defense funding. - Align with Donald Trump's America First foreign policy agenda - Confront strategic security threats and intellectual property theft by China - Leverage congressional intelligence background to combat foreign terrorism - Voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Congress > “I’ll stand with President Trump to deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://rogersforsenate.com) ### Campaign Finance & Government Reform Salience: medium El-Sayed refuses corporate PAC money and advocates overturning Citizens United and abolishing the filibuster, while Rogers points to his FBI background investigating political corruption. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports banning corporate money and reforming the Supreme Court El-Sayed makes eliminating corporate influence in politics a primary pillar of his campaign, pledging to refuse all corporate PAC contributions. He advocates for SCOTUS reform to overturn Citizens United, ending gerrymandering, and abolishing the Senate filibuster. - Refuse corporate PAC contributions for his campaign - Support legislation banning corporate money in federal elections and increasing lobbying transparency - Nominate Supreme Court justices committed to overturning Citizens United - Abolish the Senate filibuster and enact legislation to end political gerrymandering > “I am committed to using Michigan’s voice in the US Senate to hold the government accountable to the people, and I am the only candidate in this race who has never and will never accept corporate contributions.” > — Abdul El-Sayed, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Abdul_El-Sayed) **Mike Rogers:** Emphasizes law enforcement experience targeting political corruption Rogers highlights his background as an FBI special agent targeting public corruption and human traffickers rather than proposing structural campaign finance legislative reforms. - Highlight FBI career taking down corrupt politicians and criminals - Emphasize government accountability through law enforcement experience > “I followed in my family’s footsteps by serving in the Army. Then, I served in the FBI taking down human traffickers and corrupt politicians.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://rogersforsenate.com) ### Education Salience: medium El-Sayed seeks to increase public education funding by taxing billionaire wealth, whereas Rogers focuses on expanding tax-free 529 savings plans and opposing classroom indoctrination. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports funding public schools through wealth taxes El-Sayed advocates funding public education by taxing billionaire wealth. As Detroit Health Officer, he led local health initiatives in public schools including lead remediation and free vision care. - Tax billionaire wealth to fund investments in K-12 public education - Expand health, vision, and environmental safety programs in public schools **Mike Rogers:** Opposes ideological instruction and supports tax-free education savings Rogers focuses on prioritizing core academic achievement while eliminating political indoctrination in classrooms. He supports tax-advantaged education savings options and previously voted to eliminate federal taxes on education savings plans. - Focus school curricula on academic readiness rather than ideological indoctrination - Expand tax-free 529 savings plans for education and career training - Voted in Congress to eliminate federal taxes on education savings plans > “I’ll always put America and Michigan first. That means bringing manufacturing jobs back home, lowering the cost of gas, groceries, & prescription drugs, protecting seniors’ social security & medicare, and setting our kids up for success by prioritizing education not indoctrination.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Michigan%29) ### Public Safety & Law Enforcement Salience: medium El-Sayed emphasizes public health interventions and law enforcement partnerships, while Rogers relies on his FBI agent background to promote traditional tough-on-crime policies. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports community public health safety and law enforcement partnerships El-Sayed highlights his record working with law enforcement during his tenure as a city and county health official. He emphasizes a public health approach to safety, including expanding Narcan access and curbing environmental hazards. - Partnered with law enforcement as Wayne County and Detroit health officer - Expanded overdose prevention and Narcan distribution to improve public safety - Endorsed by the Wayne County Deputy Sheriff's Association **Mike Rogers:** Supports tough-on-crime policies based on FBI background Rogers emphasizes his law enforcement career as an FBI special agent targeting human traffickers and corrupt officials. His platform supports traditional law enforcement funding and tough-on-crime measures. - Leverage background as an FBI special agent targeting human trafficking and corruption - Promote tough-on-crime initiatives to reduce street crime > “I followed in my family’s footsteps by serving in the Army. Then, I served in the FBI taking down human traffickers and corrupt politicians.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://rogersforsenate.com) ### Abortion & Reproductive Rights Salience: medium El-Sayed supports codifying federal abortion protections, whereas Rogers has a legislative record of voting for federal restrictions on abortion. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports protecting federal abortion access and reproductive freedom El-Sayed advocates for codifying federal abortion rights and protecting healthcare freedoms for women and LGBTQ+ individuals as part of his broader healthcare platform. - Protect federal abortion access and reproductive healthcare freedom - Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Fems for Dems **Mike Rogers:** Supports federal restrictions on abortion Rogers maintains a pro-life legislative record from his service in the U.S. House, where he voted in favor of restricting abortions after 20 weeks of gestation. - Voted for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797) in the U.S. House - Endorsed by Citizens for Traditional Values PAC ### Environment, Energy & Agriculture Salience: medium El-Sayed advocates strict environmental regulation and polluter accountability, while Rogers favors deregulation, expanding domestic energy production, and farm policies backed by agricultural trade groups. **Abdul El-Sayed:** Supports clean water protections and taking on polluters El-Sayed prioritizes clean air and water protections, taking on corporate polluters, and safeguarding Michigan's natural resources alongside sustainable farming policies. - Protect clean water access and hold corporate polluters accountable - Support environmental protection and sustainable agricultural policy **Mike Rogers:** Supports domestic energy production and agricultural deregulation Rogers advocates promoting American energy independence and reducing regulatory burdens on agricultural producers and employers. He voted for the 2014 Farm Bill in Congress. - Promote American energy independence by reducing environmental regulations - Voted for the 2014 Farm Bill (Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act) - Endorsed by Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPAC ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - Latest poll: CNN, Oct 27, 768 LV, El-Sayed +7.0 — El-Sayed 49%, Rogers 42% - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/michigan-democratic-senate-primary-winner) — Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Winner: Democrats 100.0% - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/michigan-senate-election-winner) — Michigan Senate Election Winner: Democrats 79.5%, Republicans 19.5% - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/michigan-republican-senate-primary-winner-954) — Michigan Republican Senate Primary Winner: Republicans 100.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXPRIMARYPLACE-SENATEMID26-2) — Michigan Senate Democratic primary: 2nd place: Haley Stevens 99.0%, Mallory McMorrow 1.0%, Abdul El-Sayed 1.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/SENATEMI-26) — Michigan Senate winner?: Abdul El-Sayed 76.0%, Mike Rogers 23.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXSENATEMID-26) — Michigan Democratic Senate nominee?: Abdul El-Sayed 99.8%, Haley Stevens 0.3%, Andy Levin 0.1% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXMISENATE-26) — Michigan Senate winner? (Person): Abdul El-Sayed 75.0%, Mike Rogers 23.0%, Mallory McMorrow 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-mi)