GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— The two candidates battling for Michigan’s open Senate seat tangled here Thursday over the war in Iran, gas prices and tariffs in a debate that often veered into mean-spirited sniping.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed sought to portray his Republican rival, former Rep.Mike Rogers, as a weak-willed loyalist to President Donald Trump who has recently changed his positions on certain issues out of political necessity.Rogers attempted to frame El-Sayed as a “con man” who is making promises he cannot pay for without raising taxes or other costs.Each repeatedly taunted the other over real estate — a home Rogers has in Florida and property El-Sayed’s wife owns in the United Arab Emirates.
The debate, hosted by NBC affiliate WOOD of Grand Rapids, became so punchy at times that moderator Rick Albin pleaded for the candidates to rein in their attacks.“I’d like to be a part of the debate, too,” Albin interjected at one point.Michigan’s Senate race is one of the most competitive and closely watched in the country, and the results could help determine partisan control of the chamber.Sen.
Gary Peters, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election.Backed by progressive luminaries such as Sen.
Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., El-Sayed emerged from a nasty primary against Rep.
Haley Stevens, who positioned herself as a more moderate Democrat.Since then, Republicans eager to win a Senate seat in the state for the first time since 1994 have attempted to paint El-Sayed as an extremist.The debate opened with Albin asking both candidates if, at a time of high gas prices related to the war with Iran, they would support a pause on the federal gas tax.
Both said they would support a pause, but the question led into a deeper discussion about the conflict.Rogers, who initially supported the war, recently said he wants it to swiftly end.“I would support pausing the federal gas tax, but there is one thing that is actually causing...