El-Sayed and Rogers remain too close to call in Michigan Senate race

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are tied in a tight US Senate race in Michigan as vote counting continues. Election officials have not declared a winner, and the margin between the two candidates is shrinking. Early returns showed El-Sayed leading in Democratic-leaning areas such as Oakland, Kent, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties. Rogers held early advantages in Eaton, Ottawa, and Livingston counties. The two men were nearly even in partial tallies from Macomb County.

The contest is the most expensive in state history, with over $270 million in disclosed spending as of October. That figure excludes additional dark money spending. The amount is up from $217 million in the 2024 race between Rogers and Elissa Slotkin. El-Sayed raised a record $30.7 million in the final quarter of the campaign, compared to $9.7 million for Rogers. He raised another $2.4 million on Sunday alone after his primary rival Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers. GOP-aligned outside groups spent nearly $95 million on Rogers by mid-October, while $42 million went to El-Sayed.

The race has drawn high-profile surrogates from both parties. Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump each held rallies in Michigan. Other visitors included Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. The seat was opened by the retirement of Democratic Senator Gary Peters. El-Sayed, a former public health official, faces Rogers, a former member of Congress who lost a Senate bid in 2024. The Cook Political Report shifted the race from a tossup to leaning Democrat on Monday.

Voters cited the economy as a top concern, mentioning the cost of groceries, gas, and utilities. Some supported El-Sayed for his progressive stance on healthcare and foreign policy. In Detroit, El-Sayed said his opponents focused on his Muslim faith rather than affordability. He stated, “They don’t want to talk about gas and groceries. They want to talk about me and my name and my faith.” Rogers characterized the election as a fight for the nation’s heart and soul. He expressed confidence that a Republican victory would surprise some people.

Late endorsements complicated the field for Democrats. Haley Stevens, El-Sayed’s primary opponent, backed Rogers in the final days of the campaign. Jen Mahaffy of Torch Lake Township called the move disappointing. She said El-Sayed handles differences with humility. Lauren Slutsky in Huntington Woods voted for Rogers, saying El-Sayed had not proven he would stand against antisemitism. Steve Gold at the same location praised El-Sayed’s push for Medicare for All. Walker Darnell, a first-time voter at Michigan State University, said he supported Rogers because of his own Christian background.

The outcome will decide which party holds the majority in the US Senate during the final two years of the current term. Democrats need to keep the Michigan seat to achieve a majority. They are also seeking pickups in Texas and Maine. Republicans view the seat as a chance to block a total Democratic takeover of Congress. The final vote count will determine whether El-Sayed becomes the first Muslim US Senator or if Rogers flips the seat for his party.