Michigan Senate race remains deadlocked ahead of final debate

Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed held a debate on Wednesday evening in a closely contested U.S. Senate race, with polling indicating a statistical tie. The contest is considered pivotal, as Democrats have won nine consecutive U.S. Senate races in Michigan, but President Donald Trump has carried the state twice, demonstrating Republican competitiveness statewide.

A Marist poll released on Wednesday showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 50 percent to 48 percent, a difference within the margin of error. The survey also found high unfavorable ratings for both candidates, with 48 percent of likely voters viewing El-Sayed unfavorably and 52 percent holding that view of Rogers. Additionally, 43 percent of likely voters said they were worse off financially than a year ago, compared with 16 percent who said they were better off.

El-Sayed is vying to become the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate, while Rogers seeks to become the first Republican to represent Michigan in the Senate since Spencer Abraham lost his reelection bid in 2000. The campaign has featured attacks on El-Sayed’s faith, including Trump’s recent characterization of him as a “jihadist,” while El-Sayed has sought to tie Rogers to Trump’s policies on tariffs and the war in Iran.

Read the full story at scrippsnews.com.