Michigan Senate Showdown: El-Sayed and Rogers Trade Barbs on Iran, Economy, and Immigration

In the final debate before the November 3 midterm elections, candidates for the United States Senate in Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, engaged in a heated exchange of accusations. The debate, held on Wednesday, focused on their differing political views and the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. Meanwhile, in Kansas, Republican Senator Roger Marshall and his Democratic opponent, Adam Hamilton, debated the rising cost of diesel and President Donald Trump’s proposal to import Russian fuel. The outcomes of these elections are poised to significantly impact which party gains control of the Senate, currently held by Republicans with 53 out of 100 seats, while Democrats hold 45, with two independents caucusing with them.

Key Takeaways from the Michigan Debate:

Rogers Distances Himself from Trump on Certain Issues

Mike Rogers expressed reservations about some of President Trump’s tariffs, describing them as a “mixed bag.” While he supported efforts to bring automobile manufacturing back to Michigan from China and Mexico, Rogers questioned the impact of tariffs on Canada, noting the close ties between the two countries’ automotive industries. “I have stepped back and said maybe these Canadian tariffs were not well thought through,” Rogers stated. Michigan, situated on the Canadian border, boasts the most car-manufacturing jobs in the US. Rogers emphasized his commitment to prioritizing Michigan’s interests: “If it’s good for Michigan, I’m going to be for it. If it’s bad for Michigan, I’m going to be against it.” He also criticized El-Sayed’s frequent mentions of Trump, remarking, “The bingo game ought to be how many times can he put the word Trump in any answer that he has given in the last, whatever, 30 minutes. It’s ridiculous.”

Iran War Dominates Discussion

Abdul El-Sayed accused Rogers of backing the war on Iran, which El-Sayed blamed for escalating fuel and food prices in the US. El-Sayed acknowledged Iran as a national security threat but argued that the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), negotiated under former President Barack Obama, had effectively contained it through diplomacy. The JCPOA, signed by Iran and several world powers including the US, imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment limits and international inspections, in exchange for sanctions relief. President Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program, and support for regional armed groups. El-Sayed criticized Trump’s withdrawal and subsequent “war against Iran,” asserting that Americans are bearing the financial consequences, with gas prices nearing $5 per gallon and increased grocery costs due to higher diesel prices. According to AAA, regular gasoline in Michigan averaged $4.44 per gallon on Wednesday, a significant increase from $2.92 a year prior. Diesel prices surged from $3.62 to $6.41 per gallon in the same period. El-Sayed further linked Rogers to Trump, who was expected to campaign in Michigan, stating, “Donald Trump is on the ballot through Mike Rogers. They are hip-to-hip on this war, and you are paying the cost.” He added, “Mike Rogers has been promoting this war since before he was in Congress. He’s got a war for everything, and he won’t back off the war now.”

Rogers Appeals to Moderate Democrats

Rogers attempted to attract Democrats who had supported Haley Stevens, El-Sayed’s primary opponent. “If you were a Haley Stevens voter and you came out of this and you said, ‘Man, I just can’t do it. He’s too extreme,’ well, guess what? You’ll have a home with us,” he said, claiming increased Democratic support for his campaign. A particularly contentious moment arose when Rogers suggested El-Sayed shared supporters with groups like Hamas, an allegation El-Sayed vehemently denied. “You can grin and you can smile and you can talk real pretty, but I’m going to tell you what, that is a risk to our national security,” Rogers asserted, later questioning El-Sayed’s eligibility for a security clearance if elected. El-Sayed condemned the accusations as “shameful.”

Immigration and ICE Spark Heated Exchange

Immigration proved to be another flashpoint. Rogers defended the Trump administration’s immigration policies, arguing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations helped reduce crime. “We should continue to do that. Find those folks who are committing crimes and get them the heck out of the country,” Rogers advocated. El-Sayed criticized ICE’s methods, accusing Rogers of endorsing raids on schools, workplaces, and places of worship. “He supports ICE running through your streets. They don’t have to tell you who they are. They don’t have to tell you why they’re there,” El-Sayed countered, adding, “I believe that we don’t need ICE.”

Kansas Debate Highlights:

Marshall Cites Ukraine War for Diesel Prices

In Kansas, Senator Roger Marshall attributed soaring diesel prices to Russia’s war on Ukraine, not the Iran war, during his debate with Adam Hamilton. Marshall’s comments aligned with President Trump’s recent criticisms of Ukraine, including claims that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries caused fuel cost increases. Trump’s proposed deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel stocks to global markets to ease prices was met with reservation by Marshall: “It doesn’t sound like a great idea.” However, he added, “If this brings Russia to the bargaining table and it ends the war, then I am all for it right now.” Hamilton reacted strongly, stating, “What you said just now is you’re going to sell out our friends in Ukraine. That’s not OK.” Diesel prices have become a critical campaign issue in Kansas, a state heavily reliant on the fuel for its agricultural sector. AAA reported diesel averaging $6.32 a gallon in Kansas that week, up from $3.62 a year earlier. Hamilton blamed the price hikes on Trump’s war on Iran and proposed a temporary suspension of federal fuel taxes. Marshall, while also desiring an end to the war, did not commit to pressuring Trump to achieve it.

ICE Raids Divide Kansas Candidates

Hamilton criticized recent ICE raids, while Marshall defended Trump’s border policies. Both candidates expressed cautious support for mandating E-Verify, a system for employers to check worker authorization. “I think it’s a good idea. Of course, the devil’s in the details,” Marshall said, suggesting that after securing the border, Republicans could focus on improving the immigration system. Hamilton challenged Marshall on his past medical experiences with undocumented parents, asking, “Did you also call ICE and ask them to be taken away? What did you do with these people?” Hamilton further criticized ICE raids in southwestern Kansas, warning they instilled fear in workers and disrupted the agricultural industry. “People are terrified when ICE shows up because they’ve been militarised, politicised, and so people don’t show up at work. We don’t want people terrified in our communities.”

Weapons Sales to Israel

Hamilton questioned the use of US weapons in Gaza, while Marshall defended the US alliance with Israel. Hamilton supported providing defensive weapons but opposed supplying bombs used in attacks on populated areas, stating, “When you see entire cities flattened in Gaza, now we’re not just talking about rooting out Hamas. They’re using our aid to buy our weapons and then dropping them on innocent civilians. That’s just not OK. It’s not decent. It’s not who we are as Americans.” Marshall affirmed Israel as a key US ally, though he conceded there might be circumstances under which he would block a weapons sale, stating, “I’m sure there is. I’m not sure what it would be.” He emphasized prioritizing domestic concerns: “I want to make sure that our borders are secure. Let’s take care of things at home first.”