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El-Sayed Faces Attacks in Michigan Senate Race

Updated 8:04 AM ET · 7:15 AM ETConfirmed

Politics Desk

In Short: Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing intense personal attacks from Republican opponent Mike Rogers and former President Donald Trump in a closely watched Senate race.

Rogers, 63, has alleged that El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an accusation El-Sayed has denied.

At a recent campaign event, Rogers called El-Sayed a 'con man' and argued that his proposals would require substantial tax increases.

El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, has also faced criticism for his use of the title 'physician', with Rogers questioning Michigan's licensing requirements.

Former President Trump called El-Sayed a 'jihadist' who was 'on the side of the terrorists' and would 'have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate.'

El-Sayed has also faced backlash for his comments on violence, describing it as a cycle and saying 'hurt people hurt people.' He later apologized to the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus.

El-Sayed has received endorsements from prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined him for a campaign event in Detroit.

El-Sayed has also criticized Rogers for his ties to Trump, arguing that rising gas and grocery prices are a result of the war with Iran.

The race for Michigan's Senate seat is closely contested, with recent polling showing El-Sayed facing a tight race against Rogers.

The winner of Michigan's Senate race could help shape health care, climate, and campaign finance policy in Washington, D.C.

The contest between El-Sayed and Rogers could help determine control of the U.S. Senate next term, with advertising spending in the race expected to top $300 million by Election Day on Nov. 3.

El-Sayed has also faced criticism for his stance on defunding the police, with Rogers pointing out that El-Sayed had called for such measures.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Rogers, 63, has alleged that El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an accusation El-Sayed has denied.
• At a recent campaign event, Rogers called El-Sayed a 'con man' and argued that his proposals would require substantial tax increases.
• El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, has also faced criticism for his use of the title 'physician', with Rogers questioning Michigan's licensing requirements.
• El-Sayed has also faced backlash for his comments on violence, describing it as a cycle and saying 'hurt people hurt people.' He later apologized to the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus.
• El-Sayed has received endorsements from prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined him for a campaign event in Detroit.
• El-Sayed has also criticized Rogers for his ties to Trump, arguing that rising gas and grocery prices are a result of the war with Iran.
• The race for Michigan's Senate seat is closely contested, with recent polling showing El-Sayed facing a tight race against Rogers.
• The winner of Michigan's Senate race could help shape health care, climate, and campaign finance policy in Washington, D.C.
• The contest between El-Sayed and Rogers could help determine control of the U.S. Senate next term, with advertising spending in the race expected to top $300 million by Election Day on Nov. 3.
• El-Sayed has also faced criticism for his stance on defunding the police, with Rogers pointing out that El-Sayed had called for such measures.

What's still developing

• El-Sayed also told the crowd, "I'll be Senator Mohamed to you, bro," drawing cheers from supporters.
• Recording artist Nicki Minaj also appeared alongside Rogers, 63, who embraced the presidential endorsement and echoed the White House's characterization of his opponent as a "radical." Rogers has also alleged that El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an accusation the Democratic candidate has denied.
• Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority heading into Tuesday's election.
• President Derrick Johnson called the rhetoric “unacceptable and disgusting” as Michigan voters weigh a closely watched Senate contest.
• He described the behavior as “grotesque and undemocratic” and said it should not be tolerated from anyone holding or seeking elected office.
• His half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, wrote on social media in 2012 that "my family has long been MB" and described a conversation with her mother about her involvement in the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1970s.
• Recent polling shows El-Sayed faces a tight race against Republican opponent Mike Rogers as Democrats aim to pick off four Senate seats nationwide to win a majority in the chamber.
• “There’s no better choice for Michiganders than Abdul when it comes to making health care more affordable,” she added.
• Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed launched personal attacks against Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and President Donald Trump as the race for Michigan’s open Senate seat heats up.
• “He understands that a trade war with Canada, it forces us to pay $5,600 a year on average to destroy jobs in our own community,” El-Sayed said.
• El-Sayed, who had backed the “Uncommitted” protest vote against Biden in Michigan’s presidential primary, endorsed Harris immediately after Biden withdrew and campaigned for her in the general election.
• The race for the Democratic nomination for the open Senate seat has been marked by differences over campaign contributions, military support for Israel, and frequent personal attacks.

Sources

• Latin Timeslink
• The Daily News | Texas' Oldest Newspaperlink
• TheGriolink
• PBSlink
• Israelnationalnewslink
• Washingtonsunlink
• Michiganpubliclink
• Breitbartlink
• Wswslink
• Newscordlink
• Fox Newslink
• Planetdetroitlink
• Mondoweisslink
• Dailywirelink
• Washingtonexaminerlink
• WarpBeat — background on Sanders Rallies With El-Sayed in Michigan Amid Trump Visit link