Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers faced off Thursday, Oct. 8, in their first general-election debate, putting their differences over the Iran war, Canada tariffs, immigration and health care before Michigan voters. Rogers’ breaks with President Donald Trump on Iran and trade were among the questions voters could weigh alongside the candidates’ competing policy positions.
The candidates are seeking the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The contest is closely watched and could affect control of the Senate, CBS News reported.
El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination in August, while Rogers was unopposed in the Republican primary, PBS reported. After online sparring, the candidates took their arguments to the same stage; the pre-debate account of the contest covered the run-up to Thursday’s meeting.
Where do Rogers and El-Sayed differ on Iran, Canada and immigration?
Rogers called for ending the Iran war. During the debate, he said, “this would be the time to wrap it up,” CBS News reported. El-Sayed opposes the war and U.S. military assistance to Israel and supports diplomacy with Iran. Rogers has described himself as a strong supporter of Israel.
Rogers also called for resolving the trade dispute with Canada and said he had spoken with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about a deal. The day before the debate, Rogers released an ad criticizing Trump’s Canada tariffs and calling for an end to the dispute, Politico reported. El-Sayed criticized the Trump administration’s policies on both Iran and Canada.
Those are specific disagreements with Trump, who endorsed Rogers.
Immigration brought another contrast. Rogers criticized some enforcement operations in Minnesota as inappropriate but defended agents’ focus on people he described as violent criminals. El-Sayed has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said violent offenders should be deported, but not through violations of the Constitution.
Free newsletter
Get the morning briefing
Start each day with the stories that matter and why — a short, free email from our newsroom.
What did the candidates say about health care and living costs?
Rogers criticized El-Sayed’s support for Medicare for All. El-Sayed said, “if families want to keep their private health insurance, that's fine by me,” CBS News reported.
The exchange highlighted their competing health care positions. Rogers challenged the single-payer proposal, while El-Sayed said families who want private coverage could keep it.
The candidates also addressed living costs and both called for pausing the gas tax. That shared position stood alongside their disagreements over health care, immigration, trade and the Iran war. The debate therefore put household costs on the agenda as well as questions of U.S. foreign policy and the limits of immigration enforcement.
What did Rogers say about AIPAC?
A separate development concerns outside support in the race. Politico reported that Rogers opened the door to AIPAC support. His reported openness is a position by the candidate, distinct from the policy differences aired during the debate.
The next test for voters is how the candidates develop the positions they outlined, including their proposals on the gas tax and trade with Canada. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Comments
Comments are written by readers. They are not reporting or opinion from The Wells Post.
Share your view on this story. Criticise ideas and public records, not other readers.
Most comments appear right away; some wait for a moderator first.
Community guidelines
More in our terms and privacy policy.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.