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El-Sayed Trails Rogers in Michigan Senate Race Polls

Politics17 sourcesAug 15, 2026
RightRigor 5317 sources

The Story

Republican Mike Rogers holds a lead over Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, according to a Fox News poll released this week. The survey of Michigan registered voters conducted August 6-10 showed Rogers with a 51%-47% edge over El-Sayed, within the margin of sampling error. Rogers' advantage is attributed to stronger Republican party unity, with 96% of Republicans backing him. El-Sayed's support among Democrats is 91%, but drops to 69% among non-DSA Democrats and independents. El-Sayed is also underperforming compared to former Vice President Kamala Harris in Michigan in 2024, particularly among Black voters, women, and suburban voters. A separate report detailed allegations from El-Sayed's tenure as Detroit's health director, where nearly 4,700 cats and dogs were euthanized under his watch, with one former employee calling the Department of Animal Control a dog slaughterhouse.A campaign spokeswoman stated El-Sayed disagrees with his sister's rhetoric. Jewish leaders in Michigan have expressed concern over El-Sayed's anti-Israel rhetoric, with some forming a coalition to support Rogers. A petition signed by approximately 200 leaders asked the Michigan Democratic Party for assurances of safety for Jewish delegates at their convention. El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic primary against Rep. Haley Stevens by approximately 5,500 votes out of 1,500,000 cast.

The Spread

What they agree on

  • Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic US Senate primary.
  • Mike Rogers is the Republican nominee for the Michigan US Senate seat.
  • A Fox News poll shows Mike Rogers leading Abdul El-Sayed in the general election matchup.
  • Abdul El-Sayed's primary victory was narrower than some polls had predicted.
  • Allegations regarding animal euthanasia during El-Sayed's time as Detroit health director have resurfaced.

Where they split

  • Some outlets emphasize El-Sayed's struggles to unify the Democratic base, while others focus on allegations from his past.
  • Coverage varies in its focus on El-Sayed's political positions and rhetoric versus controversies surrounding his family members.
  • The Washington Post and Agence France-Presse fact-checked claims targeting El-Sayed, while other outlets amplified them.
  • Some sources highlight El-Sayed's support among white, college-educated women, while others note his underperformance with Black voters and independents.

Source Perspectives

Left1 source
Center5 sources
Right11 sources