Former executive director of the Detroit Health Department Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers are battling for Michigan's open seat.
The race is expected to be among the most competitive contests across the nation, and it could determine which party controls the U.S. going forward.
El-Sayed, 41, is the son of an Egyptian immigrant who was born in Michigan and won a close primary matchup against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens.
El-Sayed has largely been looked at as the more progressive candidate, as opposed to Stevens, who was the moderate candidate.
"We shook up the world," El-Sayed said after the victory. "You're not supposed to be able to beat $70 million of spending. What we showed is that the power of our many is greater than the power of their money."
El-Sayed cited his campaign as a grassroots program, which largely focuses on Medicare for all, affordable housing and worker bargaining rights.
He has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas — even characterizing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians.
Former Vice President and 2024 U.S. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris joined El-Sayed in Detroit last month to unify Democrats.
The two participated in an hourlong roundtable on Black maternal health that focused on policy.
"I'm here to support Dr. El-Sayed because on this subject, I know he will be a champion," Harris said at the event.
Despite some policy differences between the two, El-Sayed said the two are focused on building a coalition focused on the economy.
"Her presence here speaking to communities that were really empowered by her voice throughout her political career, I think will help us to continue to bring our coalition together," El-Sayed said.
If elected through November, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator.
Rogers, on the other hand, ran unopposed in the primary and easily earned the Republican nomination. He lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the state's 2024 U.S. Senate race by just 19,000 votes.
After securing the nomination, Rogers quickly labeled El-Sayed as an "extremist."
"For more than 25 years, one party has controlled Michigan's two Senate seats — and they've run our state into the ground … And now the same failed politicians are asking us to send Abdul El-Sayed to Washington. Abdul isn't just another liberal. He's an extremist," Rogers said in a statement.
Rogers has talked about lowering costs for Michiganders and bringing manufacturing jobs to America. He also draws on his experience as a former Army service member, FBI special agent and House Intelligence Committee chairman to strengthen national security, border security and fighting crime.
Rogers has earned the backing of President Donald Trump, though he has broken with the president on several key issues.
Like some other Michigan Republicans, Rogers has called for a quick end to the Iran War and pushed back on the president's trade war with Canada.
"Here in Michigan, we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now," Rogers said in the advertisement, which is part of a coordinated spend between his campaign at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
He added, "as Michigan's senator, I'll bring both parties together to lower your prices."
Rogers initially backed some of the tariffs Trump imposed on Canadian goods, arguing Michigan's manufacturing sector has been gutted by cheap foreign imports in the past.
"President Trump is right to put America first — and tariffs are necessary, but are not a one-size-fits-all solution," Rogers previously said in a press release.
Rogers and El-Sayed first debated each other earlier this month when they traded personal attacks and continued arguing even during a commercial break.
At one point, El-Sayed slammed Rogers for reversing his stance on Trump's trade war with Canada.
"Look, you're hearing somebody who has cheer-led, again, a Canadian tariff policy that we are paying $5,600 a year for," El-Sayed said. "The reason he's flip-flopping has nothing to do with policy, has nothing to do with your costs. Has everything to do with his sagging poll numbers."
El-Sayed added, a moment later: "Weak, cowardly, won't stand up until his poll numbers drop."
Tensions also soared during an exchange over flock safety cameras. El-Sayed shared voiced concerns on surveillance, while Rogers countered that the cameras were important for catching people suspected of terrorism.
"Why would that bother you," asked Rogers in the debate. "If you have someone in your family who was on the watch?"
"Are you going to say, go ahead and say it," responded El-Sayed. "You've been tiptoeing around it this whole time just say it."
Paul Sancya/AP
Michigan U.S. Senate candidates Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed debated in Grand Rapids on Oct. 8.
The seat is open because Democratic Senator Gary Peters decided not to seek a third term. Democrats have the seat since Carl Levin defeated Republican Senator Robert Griffin in 1978. Levin served for 36 years before Peters succeeded him in 2015.
Overall, the Republicans have not won a Senate race in Michigan since 1994, when Spencer Abraham captured the state's other seat in the upper chamber of Congress.
For full coverage of the 2026 election in Michigan, go here.
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