GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers traded personal attacks Thursday night in Grand Rapids, Mich., during their first head-to-head general-election debate in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.
The hour-long televised forum opened on rising gas prices before shifting into sharper exchanges over the war in Iran, health care and the national debt. Both candidates said they support temporarily suspending the federal gas tax while disagreeing over the war’s economic impact and military results.
Rogers defended U.S. military operations against Iran and accused El-Sayed of misleading voters. El-Sayed criticized the war’s effect at the pump and accused Rogers of changing positions to improve his standing in the polls.
On health care, Rogers criticized El-Sayed’s support for Medicare for All and warned about higher taxes. El-Sayed argued his approach would make coverage more affordable for working families while saying private coverage could remain an option.
Later, El-Sayed called for higher taxes on billionaires as a debt solution, while Rogers argued Washington spending habits are the core problem. Debate fact checks noted the candidates also butted heads on tariffs and their ties to outside groups.
A second debate is scheduled for Detroit on Oct. 21. For Grand Rapids, Mich., voters, Thursday’s stage offered an early, combative look at the November choice for U.S. Senate.
