Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed hold their final debate Oct. 21 in Michigan's open-seat Senate race. Republicans have centered the race on claims that El-Sayed has Muslim Brotherhood ties, which he denies.
Why it matters: The race tests coalitions strained by the Gaza war and the 2024 election. Each candidate needs voters from groups that distrust the other's allies.
Where they split: Coverage disagrees on whether Republican attacks on El-Sayed address his ideology and record, as Rogers says, or target his Muslim faith, as El-Sayed's backers say.
Center coverage, 8 sources: The center sees a tight, bitter race where unproven Muslim Brotherhood claims overshadow cost-of-living debates and unsettle Jewish and Muslim voters.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left sees El-Sayed pushing back against attacks it calls racist and Islamophobic while working to repair Black and Arab American ties.
Right coverage, 11 sources: The right sees a referendum on a progressive candidate whose views on Israel and family ties it considers disqualifying.
What’s next: WXYZ-TV in Detroit hosts the final debate Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. EDT.
