Carville says El-Sayed can defeat Rogers in Michigan Senate race

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Democratic strategist James Carville said Sunday that Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed can beat former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) in Michigan’s Senate race in November.

“Can Abdul El-Sayed beat Mike Rogers in a red-tinged swing state?” NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt asked Carville on “The Hill Sunday.”

“Well, sure he can, but he has to be the nominee first, and it seems to me that Stevens and Sen. McMorrow are going to have to get together, and they’re just cutting into each other’s vote — and I think, you know, it should be a two-way choice in Michigan,” Carville replied, referring to Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D).

“But you know, I don’t know if we’re going to get there,” he added.

El-Sayed, who is competing against McMorrow and Stevens for a seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), is a physician and progressive activist. During the race, he has leaned into messaging focused on economic populism, universal healthcare and restricting corporate influence in politics. He also recently locked down a key endorsement from the United Auto Workers.

Whoever wins Michigan’s Democratic primary on Aug. 4 will likely face a tough battle for Peters’s seat, as President Trump beat former Vice President Kamala Harris in the state in the 2024 presidential election.

On the other side of the race, Rogers locked down an endorsement from President Trump last July, who called the former House Republican an “America First Patriot.”

“From the U.S. Army to Congress, Mike has served our Nation with distinction, and will bring that same Fighting Spirit to the U.S. Senate,” Trump said in a Truth Social post last year.

“As your next Senator, Mike will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE by keeping the price of Gasoline, Oil, and all forms of Energy VERY LOW (CHEAP!), Help Secure our now VERY Secure (Record Setting!) Southern Border, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” he added.

However, Republicans are facing rocky political territory as the midterms creep closer, with oil and gas prices having risen due to the Iran war and struggling approval numbers for the president.

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2026 midterms

Chris Stirewalt

Donald Trump

Gary Peters

Haley Stevens

James Carville

Kamala Harris

Michigan

Michigan Senate race

Mike Rogers

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