El-Sayed holds narrow lead over Rogers in Michigan: Poll

The results are unsurprising given the Wolverine State's longstanding battleground status, but they bode poorly for Republicans.

By Ben Whedon

Published: September 9, 2026 2:24pm

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has carved out a narrow lead over former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., in the battle for Michigan's open Senate seat, a recent poll has revealed.

Overall, 47% of likely voters backed El-Sayed in the latest CNN/SSRS survey, compared to 44% who backed Rogers. The 4.1% margin of error means the race is a statistical tie.

The results are unsurprising given the Wolverine State's longstanding battleground status, but they bode poorly for Republicans. Michigan is widely viewed as the best opportunity for Republicans to gain a seat in the upper chamber this cycle.

El-Sayed's victory in the primary has opened an avenue of attack for Rogers to paint him as an extremist. The Republican has pointed to El-Sayed's support from far-left groups and his association with streamer Hasan Piker.

But El-Sayed has rejected the "socialist" label and attempted to campaign as more of a moderate.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.