Michigan race: What you need to know about Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers

Candidates and their positions

Rogers is a close ally of Donald Trump, though he has sought distance from the president’s unpopularity. The Republican supports tax cuts, greater domestic energy production and deregulation, and is a staunch supporter of Israel.

Why the contest matters

The seat is held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Losing Michigan would make it difficult for Democrats to take control of the Senate, and both campaigns have warned that the outcome could hinge on a few thousand votes.

The result is also viewed as a test of whether progressive ideas can win in a swing state. A win for El-Sayed could influence how Democratic presidential candidates campaign in 2028.

The race has attracted attention beyond Michigan. Activist Chadi Abdulrazek said he had recently spoken with journalists from Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom.

Religion and the final outlook

El-Sayed’s Muslim faith has become a target of frequent attacks by Rogers and Trump, and negative campaigning over his religion and ethnicity has heightened the stakes for some supporters. Former Democratic Cynthia Johnson said voters needed to act because the country required people willing to speak up. Cortis told Al Jazeera that the country, its border and children’s future were at stake, and warned against what Cortis called “Muslim rule.”

Recent polls have given El-Sayed a lead of four to seven percentage points. The Cook Political Report classifies the contest as a toss-up.