El-Sayed holds early lead in Michigan Senate race as tally begins
The contest has drawn over $270 million in spending and could determine which party holds the majority in the US Senate.
By Michael Collins ·
Abdul El-Sayed led Mike Rogers in early returns from Michigan’s US Senate race on Tuesday morning. The margin was insufficient to declare a winner, but the initial counts showed a lead for the Democrat in key suburban areas. Election officials across the state began tallying ballots after polls closed at 8 p.m. in most counties.
The race determines the fate of the 23rd seat, currently held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Both parties view the seat as essential for maintaining or seizing control of the Senate. The contest has been defined by high volume outside spending and sharp partisan attacks. It is widely considered the most consequential individual race in the 2026 midterms.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, has trailed in fundraising compared to his opponent but surged in the final days of the campaign. He raised $30.7 million last quarter, a state record. Rogers, a former member of Congress, raised $9.7 million in the same period. A surprise endorsement from El-Sayed’s primary rival, Haley Stevens, triggered a final fundraising push for the Democrat. El-Sayed reported collecting $2.4 million on Sunday alone following that endorsement.
Outside groups poured record sums into the contest. Disclosed spending exceeded $270 million by the end of October, surpassing the $217 million spent in Rogers’ 2024 race. GOP-aligned groups spent nearly $95 million supporting Rogers, while pro-El-Sayed groups spent $42 million. Additional millions were deployed for advertising in the days before the vote.
The candidates campaigned on different themes in their final appearances. Rogers held a rally in Rochester Hills on Monday evening, describing the election as a fight for the heart and soul of the nation. He expressed confidence that Republicans would deliver a surprise victory. El-Sayed addressed a crowd in Detroit on Monday night, arguing that his opponents focused too much on his Muslim faith rather than economic concerns.
El-Sayed stated that Republicans did not want to discuss gas and groceries. He said they preferred to talk about his name and his faith. The Democrat has called for the US to end support for Israel in the wars in Gaza and Iran. He argued that federal money could be redirected to help Americans at home. This stance divided Democrats during the primary but remained a central issue for voters in the general election.
Voter sentiment varied by background and priority. In Huntington Woods, Lauren Slutsky, a lifelong Jewish Democrat, voted for Rogers. She cited El-Sayed’s record on antisemitism as her reason for crossing party lines. At the same polling place, Steve Gold wore a Jews for Abdul shirt. Gold praised El-Sayed’s support for Medicare for All, calling it shameful that the US had not provided universal healthcare for 250 years.
In Torch Lake Township, Jen Mahaffy voted for El-Sayed. She described his approach to political disagreements as humble and graceful. Mahaffy found Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers disappointing. Walker Darnell, a first-time voter from Michigan State University, said he voted for Rogers because of his Christian background. He stated that he could not personally support a candidate with a Muslim faith.
The race attracted high-profile surrogates from both parties. President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama both headlined rallies in the state. Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned for Rogers. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supported El-Sayed. The influx of national figures underscored the strategic importance of Michigan for the Senate majority calculation.
Economic issues dominated the final weeks of campaigning. Voters cited high costs for groceries, gas, utilities, and healthcare. Critics of the Trump administration blamed federal tariffs and the Iran war for the affordability crisis. Rogers initially supported those administration actions but recently called for an end to the conflict with Iran and the trade dispute with Canada. The final vote count will determine if Democrats can keep their long-held grip on the seat.
Source: Bridge Michigan
