Michigan Senate Showdown: El-Sayed and Rogers Clash Over Foreign Wars and Israel

• by Shimanta Das
• October 11, 2026

In their first debate Thursday evening, Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers squared off in a race that has become one of the most closely watched Senate battlegrounds of the 2026 midterms. While personal accusations flew for much of the night, one of the sharpest policy disagreements emerged over Israel and Iran, highlighting deep divisions on foreign policy.

Rogers argued that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been significantly diminished and said the war should end, while maintaining that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. El-Sayed, on the other hand, took a different stance, questioning whether the war could truly come to an end if Iran still maintains the ability to produce a nuclear weapon and continues to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz. The exchange underscored broader tensions over U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and the role of Israel in the region.

Healthcare also became a major flash point during the debate, with the two candidates offering contrasting visions for the future of the Affordable Care Act and prescription drug costs. Rising gas prices were another topic that resonated with voters, as both candidates sought to address economic anxieties in a state where the auto industry remains a critical concern. The debate reflected the high stakes of a race that recent surveys show is either tied or within single digits, making Michigan a key target for both parties.

With Democrats facing a ‘do-or-die’ split with a key voting bloc in this razor-close Senate race, the outcome could have national implications. El-Sayed and Rogers will likely continue to spar over these issues as the campaign intensifies, but Thursday’s debate made one thing clear: foreign wars and Israel policy will be central to the fight for Michigan’s Senate seat.