Sparks fly as Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers face off in first Michigan Senate debate

NBC News · Fox News, CBS News and Daily Wire report on Thursday's first Michigan Senate debate between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, a hostile hourlong contest for the seat Sen. Gary Peters is vacating. The race could help decide which party controls the Senate, and CBS News says most polls show it as razor-thin. Daily Wire cites the RealClearPolitics average, which gives El-Sayed a 3-point edge with 25 days left.

The candidates agreed on pausing the federal gas tax. El-Sayed blamed the Iran war, which he said Rogers cheered on, while Rogers, an early supporter, now wants it wrapped up. On tariffs, Rogers said he had phoned the White House and spoken with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about a Canada deal. El-Sayed said Rogers was changing course because of his polling. Rogers called Medicare for All a disaster, and called his rival a con artist. CBS News adds that Rogers deemed the Minnesota immigration operations "probably not appropriate."

Homes also drew fire: El-Sayed pointed to Rogers' Florida residence, and Rogers cited property belonging to El-Sayed's wife in the United Arab Emirates. Moderator Rick Albin repeatedly asked for order.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NBC News · Fox News, CBS News and Daily Wire’s reporting. Read the full story at NBC News · Fox News → Also at CBS News → Also at Daily Wire →