After narrow Senate primary win, Abdul El-Sayed calls out Mike Rogers, demanding 5 debates
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who CBS News projects as the winner in Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, challenged Republican candidate Mike Rogers to a series of debates, in a nod to the fact that the general election campaign had already started.
El-Sayed's primary victory speech and remarks took place on Wednesday morning at the Spirit of Detroit statue on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Curtis Hertel, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, opened the presentation, saying that now that the primary has been settled, the party has "a ticket of fighters."
This race attracted attention from across the country after current U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat, announced his plans to retire. The results are expected to have a significant impact on national politics both within the party and within the Senate.
Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign last month, leaving the race in the hands of El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. She officially introduced El-Sayed at Wednesday's press conference, saying she had promised to support whoever was the winner of the August primary.
With the win, El-Sayed will face off against former Rep. Mike Rogers in November, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
"I can promise you that Mike Rogers and Donald Trump are looking at Michigan," El-Sayed said. He also publicly challenged Rogers to a series of five debates as the campaign season continues.
Rogers issued a statement on social media about the election minutes before El-Sayed's press conference began, which included "The choice this November is simple: common sense or complete insanity. ... Abdul doesn't represent a vision for the future. He's leading a movement grounded in ideological fanaticism. His agenda would make our communities less safe and our state less affordable."
The campaign themes that El-Sayed spoke about on Wednesday included Medicare for all, affordable housing and worker bargaining rights.
El-Sayed said he spoke with Stevens by phone on Wednesday morning. She released a congratulatory statement on Wednesday after the race results firmed up, promising her support as the race moves into the general election cycle. Her remarks said, in part:
"I want to congratulate Abdul El-Sayed on winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. He is a doctor, a community health official, a Rhodes Scholar, and a dedicated Michigander. I am proud to offer my support as he takes on Mike Rogers in the general election.
"This was a thorough and rigorous campaign that brought out the full span of views within the Democratic Party - and that is why we have primaries. I am proud to have put up my hand to serve, and prouder to continue to work together to make sure this Senate seat remains blue, that we flip the United States Senate and continue the work for Michigan."
El-Sayed is a former director of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services and before that, Detroit's health commissioner. Before his public service work, he was a tenure-track faculty member at Columbia University.
He announced his campaign for the Senate seat in April 2025.
