Michigan Democrat El-Sayed Leads Rogers in Polls Amid Campaign Scrutiny

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed holds his largest polling lead over Republican Mike Rogers, reaching a seven-point margin of 51 percent to 44 percent in a recent Marist survey.

The poll, conducted between September 24 and 27, surveyed 1,235 registered Michigan voters. This lead is the largest El-Sayed has seen since his campaign began in April 2025, matching previous highs in August and earlier this month. El-Sayed is a progressive candidate advocating for Medicare for All, taxing billionaire wealth, and environmental protections. Byron York, chief political correspondent for the Washington Examiner, criticized El-Sayed for comparing the Sept.

11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the United States’s response, calling the comparison absolutely offensive. El-Sayed's campaign has also faced scrutiny for accepting donations from billionaires, including a fundraiser hosted by Jeffrey Soros, nephew of George Soros. Jeffrey Soros stated he has known El-Sayed since 2012 and that a family fellowship helped fund El-Sayed's graduate education.

El-Sayed has campaigned on getting money out of politics. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish and a Zionist, endorsed El-Sayed but then questioned him on whether he sought and valued Jewish votes, to which he responded affirmatively. Seventeen Michigan Jewish leaders, including Democratic state Rep. Noah Arbit, have signed the "Nonnegotiables" petition, urging Democratic politicians to affirm principles concerning Jewish safety, identity, and Israel.

The Michigan House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 361 on Sept. 23, declaring October 2026 as Combating Antisemitism Month. El-Sayed has previously condemned AIPAC and opposed all aid to Israel.