Story perspectives

Polls: El-Sayed Leads Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 4:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Democrats Lead Senate Polls

NYT/Siena poll shows Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race (49%-44%).
Democrat Chris Pappas leads Republican John Sununu in New Hampshire Senate poll (50%-45%).
Republican Susan Collins holds a three-point advantage over Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine Senate poll.
Independent voters in New Hampshire favor Pappas by ten points.
Across the three states, 63% disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance.

Summary

Harris Meets El-Sayed

Campaigns have spent $125 million in Michigan Senate race since the August 4 primary, the costliest GOP-targeted contest.
Vice President Kamala Harris met Senate candidate El-Sayed at a Detroit birth center to discuss maternal-health crisis and Medicaid cuts.
El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator if elected, highlighting his Egyptian-immigrant background.
A poll shows 67% of Michiganders fear U.S. President Donald Trump’s Canadian auto tariffs will harm state auto-industry jobs.

History

Historical Context

Ellison’s 2006 victory—winning 56 % of the vote and becoming the first Muslim in Congress—helped end a 12-year Republican House majority and opened a path for Muslim representation. Six Muslims now serve in the House, but no Muslim has sat in the Senate; Abdul El-Sayed’s 2026 Democratic nomination in Michigan could break that barrier, echoing the 2006 breakthrough.

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Democrats Lead Senate Polls

NYT/Siena poll shows Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race (49%-44%).
Democrat Chris Pappas leads Republican John Sununu in New Hampshire Senate poll (50%-45%).
Republican Susan Collins holds a three-point advantage over Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine Senate poll.
Independent voters in New Hampshire favor Pappas by ten points.
Across the three states, 63% disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance.

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