Michigan’s El-Sayed declines to name greater US threat

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed declined to label either Iran or Israel as a greater threat to the U.S. during a debate, criticizing Israel for lobbying the U.S. toward conflict with Iran. His nuanced position highlights the delicate balance in appealing to diverse voter groups as polls show a tight race against Republican Mike Rogers ahead of the November election.

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed declined to designate either Iran or Israel as a greater threat to the United States during a debate Thursday, characterizing the question as hypothetical and unhelpful. When pressed repeatedly by WOOD TV8 political reporter Rick Albin, El-Sayed criticized Israel for lobbying the U.S. to engage in conflict with Iran, stating he does not view an ally as a nation that encourages unnecessary wars.

El-Sayed, a former county health official who secured the Democratic nomination after defeating U.S. Representative Haley Stevens in the August primary, described both Israel and Iran as “kind of dangerous” without explicitly ranking the threats they pose to the United States. His comments came during a contentious debate against Republican candidate and former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, with the two frequently clashing on Middle East issues and other topics.

Rogers, who has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, has recently sought to distance himself from the president on certain policies, including disagreements over the trade war with Canada. The debate underscored significant policy contrasts between the candidates as they vie for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat.

Polls released earlier this week indicate a competitive race. A CBS News survey showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 45.6% to 41.4%, within a 3.8% margin of error, while a Quantus Insights poll pegged El-Sayed slightly ahead at 47.6% against Rogers’ 46.5%, though with a larger 7.8% margin of error.

El-Sayed has engaged with Jewish communities and leaders in the state but maintains positions that diverge on key issues important to many Jewish voters. Despite support from progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders, El-Sayed has clarified he is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, distancing himself from the organization while still appealing to some of its constituencies.

The Senate race remains closely watched as both candidates continue to define their stances on foreign policy and domestic affairs ahead of the November election.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.