El-Sayed and Rogers race tightens as Michigan tallies Senate votes
The contest for the open Senate seat has become Michigan's most expensive election, with over $270 million in disclosed spending as vote counting continues.
By Chioma Brooks ·
Michigan voters have cast ballots in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers. Early returns show El-Sayed holding a lead, though the gap is narrowing as officials count votes from across the state. The race remains too close to call, with initial returns skewing toward Democratic strongholds in Oakland, Kent, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties.
Rogers held early advantages in Eaton, Ottawa, and Livingston counties. In Macomb County, the two candidates were nearly tied in partial totals. This contest is critical for national party control, as both major parties fight for the Senate during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.
The seat was opened by the retirement of Democrat Gary Peters. Rogers, who narrowly lost a 2024 bid, and El-Sayed, a former public health official, are competing to replace him. Recent polling favored El-Sayed. The Cook Political Report shifted the race from a tossup to a lean Democrat on Monday, citing a likely national referendum on the current administration.
The campaign featured record outside spending. Disclosed spending reached more than $270 million as of last month, surpassing the $217 million spent in the 2024 race. El-Sayed raised $30.7 million last quarter, a state record. Rogers received nearly $95 million in outside support, compared to $42 million for El-Sayed.
Tensions within the Democratic primary influenced the final stretch. El-Sayed's primary rival, Haley Stevens, endorsed Rogers in the race's final days. Rogers used this to appeal to divisions among Democrats. At a Monday evening event in Rochester Hills, Rogers described the race as a battle for the "heart and soul" of the nation and expressed confidence in a Republican victory.
El-Sayed held a rally in Detroit on Monday night. He argued that his opponent and the Trump administration focused on his Muslim faith rather than cost of living issues. "They don't want to talk about gas and groceries," El-Sayed said. "They want to talk about me and my name and my faith."
Voter sentiment at polling places varied. Lauren Slutsky, a 55-year-old Democrat in Huntington Woods, voted for Rogers due to concerns about antisemitism. Steve Gold, also in Huntington Woods, voted for El-Sayed and supported Medicare for All. Jen Mahaffy of Torch Lake Township voted for El-Sayed and called Stevens' endorsement disappointing.
National surrogates campaigned heavily in the state. Barack Obama and Donald Trump headlined rallies for their respective parties. Other visitors included Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, JD Vance, and Mike Johnson. Election officials will continue to tally votes, with results expected to be updated as more counties report.
Source: BridgeDetroit
