In brief
Vice‑President J.D. Vance sparked a new flare‑up in Michigan’s Senate race by calling Democratic candidate Abdul El‑Sayed ‘evil’ and attacking his personal background at a rally for Republican Mike Rogers. Vance warned El‑Sayed to keep the name of Vance’s wife out of his speech and linked the candidate to controversial far‑left figure Hasan Piker. El‑Sayed replied with a broader critique of Trump‑era policies, labeling them evil and accusing Vance’s administration of division. Polls show El‑Sayed holds a narrow lead over Rogers in this swing state, making the contest one of the most closely watched in the 2026 midterms.
Vice‑President J.D. Vance, a known Trump ally, turned up in Michigan to support Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the Senate race, railing against Democratic newcomer Abdul El‑Sayed.
During a rally in a Detroit suburb, Vance called El‑Sayed ‘evil’, warned him that his wife’s name should not be mentioned in his speeches, and linked the challenger to far‑left streamer Hasan Piker, who previously made extremist comments. Vance’s speech also tapped into personal family history, urging El‑Sayed to remain respectful of Vance’s heritage.
El‑Sayed shot back in a later CNN interview, describing several Trump‑era actions as evil – from curbing healthcare to fuels corporate tax breaks and foreign policy spats. He says Vance’s rhetoric divides Americans and prioritises some over others.
Polling by Michigan firm Epic‑MRA shows that El‑Sayed edges Rogers by a narrow four‑point margin, keeping the race a tight one even as the former President’s party seeks a laboratory of competing national strategies. That makes the Michigan Senate seat among the most‑watched contests as the 2026 midterm season heats up.
