Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers clash over Iran in Michigan debate

Michigan Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers held an hour-long debate on Oct. 8, arguing over Iran, trade with Canada, immigration and health insurance.

Democrat El-Sayed and Republican Rogers are competing for retiring Senator Gary Peters' seat. Rogers secured Donald Trump's endorsement, while El-Sayed won a contested primary marked by differences over healthcare and military assistance to Israel.

Both candidates supported pausing the gas tax amid high energy prices and questioned the trade dispute with Canada. Rogers called for a negotiated settlement and said he had discussed it with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

On Iran, Rogers said the war could end because he believed the country's nuclear programme and military had been severely weakened. El-Sayed urged a diplomatic solution and accused his opponent of failing to challenge Trump's policies.

Rogers described intensive immigration operations in Minnesota earlier this year as probably inappropriate, but said the administration had adjusted its approach. El-Sayed agreed that an undocumented migrant convicted of a violent crime should be deported, while insisting constitutional protections be observed.

Rogers criticized Medicare For All. El-Sayed said families could retain private insurance if they wanted. Their Israel policies diverged: El-Sayed opposes U.S. military aid, while Rogers described himself as a staunch supporter.

Rogers also challenged El-Sayed over not issuing a statement for the third anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. El-Sayed said he had condemned the attack but did not want to turn it into political theatre.

Personal attacks and questions about donations and property punctuated the exchanges. Moderator Rick Albin repeatedly called for order and noted that the candidates had continued arguing during the commercial break.