Michigan US Senate race: Rogers, El-Sayed urge turnout for critical race

What the report says

Michigan voters are casting ballots in a closely watched US Senate race that could help determine control of the chamber and, if Democrat Abdul El-Sayed wins, make him the first Muslim elected to the Senate. The contest is for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, with Republican Mike Rogers and El-Sayed making last-day appeals for turnout as polls opened in Michigan on Election Day, according to Al Jazeera.

Rogers, a former congressman and ally of President Donald Trump, voted in White White Lake, Michigan, while El-Sayed had already voted by absentee ballot. The race has drawn national attention because of its political stakes and because El-Sayed, a former head of Detroit’s health department, has campaigned on progressive proposals such as Medicare for All. Al Jazeera also noted that a late New York Times/Siena survey showed El-Sayed ahead by 11 points, although that is only one poll.

The campaign has been shaped by sharp partisan conflict and by debate over US policy toward Israel. El-Sayed has criticized US support for Israel, while Trump and other Republicans have attacked him with incendiary language, including claims linking him to extremism. Al Jazeera reported that Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer endorsed El-Sayed, while Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, backed Rogers after a public split over the Israel issue. Beyond Michigan, the race matters because Democrats need several gains to take back the Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections.