# Michigan Senate Debate Tensions

> Rogers and El-Sayed clash over Iran war, tariffs, and personal attacks in first Michigan Senate debate.
- Title: Michigan Senate Debate Tensions · NBC News | Shortify
- Summary: Rogers and El-Sayed clash over Iran war, tariffs, and personal attacks in first Michigan Senate debate. Rogers and El-Sayed face off in Michigan Senate…
- Keywords: michigan, senate, abdel el-sayed, mike rogers, iran, tariffs, debate, michigan senate race, politics, news, Tensions, NBC News
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/sparks-fly-abdul-el-sayed-mike-rogers-first-michigan-senate-debate-rcna599866
- Author: Henry J. Gomez
- Published: 2026-10-09T00:42:31.169+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: michigan, senate, abdel el-sayed, mike rogers, iran, tariffs, debate, michigan senate race, politics, news
## First Michigan Senate Debate
Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faced off in an hourlong debate Thursday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
## Iran War and Gas Prices
El-Sayed blamed the war in Iran for high gas prices, while Rogers said he wants the conflict to end swiftly.
## Gas Tax Pause Debate
Both candidates supported pausing the federal gas tax, but El-Sayed accused Rogers of cheer-leading Canadian tariffs.
## Tariff Policy Clash
Rogers criticized El-Sayed's support for 'Medicare for All' and claimed it would raise taxes and gas prices.
## Rogers' Tariff Stance
Rogers said he called the White House to negotiate with Canada over tariffs, claiming they should be eliminated.
## El-Sayed's Tariff Response
El-Sayed countered that Rogers' flip-flopping on tariffs is due to sagging poll numbers, not policy concerns.
## Immigration Policy Differences
Rogers defended federal raids in Minneapolis, while El-Sayed called for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
## Israel-Iran Threats
El-Sayed refused to name Israel or Iran as the bigger threat to the U.S., saying the U.S. should focus on domestic issues.
## Personal Attacks
Rogers mocked El-Sayed's height, while El-Sayed challenged Rogers to a 'no pads' football game.
## Ethnicity and Faith Focus
Republicans emphasized El-Sayed's ethnicity and Muslim faith to paint him as an extremist.
## Trump's Comments on El-Sayed
Trump referred to El-Sayed as 'Mohammed' on Truth Social, describing him as someone who 'goes back to the days of the Jihad'.
## El-Sayed's Gas Tank Comment
El-Sayed said, 'I don’t feel like I’m winning. I don’t feel like our country is winning.'

> I don’t feel like I’m winning. I don. t feel like our country is winning.
## Rogers' 'Con' Accusation
Rogers called El-Sayed a 'con man' who is selling the best con he has ever seen.

> Listen to this guy and what he’s trying to sell here today. You’re going to find out that this guy is not what he says he is. He is actually selling the best con i think i’ve ever seen.
## Key takeaway

Rogers and El-Sayed face off in Michigan Senate debate, with Rogers criticizing El-Sayed's 'con' tactics and El-Sayed accusing Rogers of flip-flopping on tariffs and Iran policy.