Sayed, Rogers hold dueling rallies as bitter campaign comes to close in Michigan

Final appeals across Michigan

On the eve of the US midterm elections, candidates in Michigan’s closely fought Senate race held their final rallies. The contest could play a role in deciding control of Congress.

Rogers addressed supporters in Rochester Hills as Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” played. He characterized the race as a battle for the “heart and soul of the country.” In Detroit, El-Sayed spoke at an event with members of the United Auto Workers. He focused on his cost-of-living platform and discussed anti-Muslim rhetoric heard during the campaign’s final days.

Anti-Muslim attacks draw attention

President Donald Trump has targeted El-Sayed, whose family emigrated from Egypt. Trump claimed El-Sayed would “invite hordes of jihadis” to the United States and has repeatedly used incorrect names for him, including “Abdul Ramadan.” Trump has also emphasized El-Sayed’s middle name, Mohammed. The attacks formed part of the wider campaign environment as voters prepared to cast ballots.

Stevens explains her endorsement

Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat, endorsed Rogers, her party’s opponent in the race. In a social media post on Monday, she explained that an advertisement unaffiliated with El-Sayed’s campaign influenced her decision by linking US support for Israel with rising grocery costs. Stevens also said she felt “shut out” of the campaign and criticized fellow Democrats’ response to her endorsement. She suggested she may take on a future political role after leaving office in January, saying, “I plan to help lead that effort.”

Poll gives El-Sayed a lead

A New York Times-Siena poll released Sunday found El-Sayed ahead among likely voters, 53 percent to 42 percent. That amounted to an 11-point lead over Rogers. The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.