Michigan's U.S. Senate seat race is set. Here are the challenges the candidates face

NPR | By Colin Jackson,

Leila Fadel

Published August 6, 2026 at 6:46 AM EDT

After winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday, Abdul El-Sayed will face former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in November.

Colin Jackson

Leila Fadel

Leila Fadel is a host of Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Leila Fadel

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

El-Sayed wins Michigan's primary. And, Fauci faces contempt of Congress vote

Brittney Melton

Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary and will face Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in the midterms. And, today, Dr. Anthony Fauci faces a contempt of Congress vote.
Political consultant talks about the Democratic Party's road to the midterms

Michel Martin

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with political consultant David Axelrod about Democrats' road to November and what's ahead for Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
The Commonwealth

This corn-loving pest is no stranger to KY. It's been detected at a 15-year high this summer

Lily Burris

Corn earworms have been trapped by the University of Kentucky at an usually high rate this year. That could spell trouble for crops.
NPR News

Hospital staff said he was faking it and released him. He died from an overdose soon after

Brian Mann

Addiction treatments are safe, effective — and rarely offered to patients. That's because many doctors and nurses still view people with alcohol or drug addiction with suspicion and hostility.
The Commonwealth

TeraWulf tells investors it could double the size of one of its KY data center projects

Curtis Tate

Wednesday, Chairman and CEO Paul Prager told investors the company is looking to double the power of what it calls the Muskie Data Campus.