GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (News 10) – Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded sharp attacks during a Thursday night debate in Grand Rapids as they compete for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
The seat is being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who is not seeking reelection.
The candidates are set to face off in November, with polls describing the race as close. A poll by Mitchell Research and Communications gave El-Sayed a 4.2 percentage-point advantage over Rogers, within the margin of error, according to the information provided.
The debate grew tense during an exchange about political rhetoric.
El-Sayed said he was “not somebody who tries to make political theater out of other people’s pain.”
Rogers replied that El-Sayed’s campaign was “political theater,” criticizing his white coat and use of the title “doctor.”
The moderator intervened, reminding the candidates to respect time limits.
The candidates also clashed over U.S. support for Israel.
Asked whether Israel could do anything to lose his support, Rogers said the use of nuclear weapons would. El-Sayed said he wanted tax dollars spent on needs in Michigan and opposed supplying weapons to a foreign government.
El-Sayed argued that a vote for Rogers would mean continued war and higher costs, calling him a “sock puppet for the Trump Administration.
Rogers, meanwhile, accused El-Sayed’s largest funders of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and alleged connections to Hamas, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda. Those statements were made as accusations during the debate.
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