El Sayed polling tight with Rogers while other Democrats dominate in Michigan

Published September 17, 2026 12:10pm ET | Updated September 17, 2026 12:10pm ET



Michigan Senate Democratic nominee Abdul el Sayed remains in a razor-thin race with Republican rival Mike Rogers despite Democrats holding leads in the state, highlighting the unusual political dynamic at play less than seven weeks out from the midterm elections. 

El Sayed holds a 3% lead over Rogers, at 48% to 45% among likely voters, putting the contest within a 3.9-point margin of error, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll released Thursday. That contrasts with Democrat Jocelyn Benson’s 12-point lead over GOP Rep. John James in Michigan’s gubernatorial race, and the state’s overall preference for Democrats to control the Senate by an 8-point margin. 

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