Abdul El-Sayed Leading in Michigan With Republican Pollster
The Democratic candidate had a narrow three-point lead over his Republican rival in a recent Rasmussen Reports survey.
Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is currently leading Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, according to a recent Rasmussen Reports poll. The poll found El-Sayed leading Rogers by three percentage points, with 47% support compared to Rogers' 44%. A smaller 2% of respondents would vote for Libertarian candidate Lydia Christensen, while 1% would back the U.S. Taxpayers Party's Tim Long.
The survey, conducted on September 22 among 1,099 likely Michigan voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Polls generally provide a snapshot of public opinion at a given time, not a definitive prediction of election outcomes. Additionally, polls have tended to underestimate Republican support since 2016, as noted by the Pew Research Center. Newsweek reached out to the campaigns of both El-Sayed and Rogers for comment, with the respective contact methods provided.
AllSides rates Rasmussen Reports as right-leaning, a designation given to sources that moderately align with conservative, traditional, libertarian, or right-wing thought and/or policy agendas. Earlier this week, election forecaster Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted its rating for the Michigan Senate race from "Toss-up" to "Leans Democratic," citing polling showing El-Sayed with a narrow advantage over Rogers.
Prominent surveys, such as those from Suffolk University and the Washington Post/Schar School, have also shown El-Sayed ahead of Rogers. The New York Times/Siena poll placed El-Sayed slightly ahead, with 49% to Rogers' 44%. El-Sayed has been active on social media, sharing posts and videos emphasizing the economic impact of the war with Iran, including higher fuel costs for truck drivers.
Michigan's economic costs of the war in Iran have risen significantly, with diesel averaging $6.84 and regular gas at $4.76, compared to $3.67 and $3.07 a year ago, respectively.
Rogers has also posted on social media, criticizing El-Sayed's stance on fentanyl and vowing to protect children. El-Sayed describes his campaign as grassroots, funded by individuals rather than corporations or oligarchs. In July, his campaign reported raising over $4.5 million during the second quarter, with almost $14.5 million in total contributions including around $14.4 million from individual donors.
El-Sayed's platform focuses on removing corporate money from politics, putting money back in voters' pockets, and introducing Medicare for All. His website lists other priorities such as taxes on billionaire wealth, environmental protections, and negotiations on prescription-drug prices. El-Sayed has also expressed concerns over Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the economic consequences of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Michigan is considered a critical midterm race, as Democrats aim to regain control in 2026. Losing the seat currently held by Democratic Senator Gary Peters would make it more challenging for Democrats to secure a majority.
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