Michigan Senate
Gary Peters (D) is not running again. 6 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it leaning Democratic.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mike Rogers
Republican · former FBI agent, in the House 2001 to 2015, led its Intelligence Committee
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 6 principles. Graded on what Rogers has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Rogers.
Abdul El-Sayed
Democrat · physician, former Wayne County health director
FLiberty Score F24 out of 100 across 8 principles. Graded on what El-Sayed has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for El-Sayed.
Raised $53,830,872 since January 2025: 88% from people, 11% transfers and other income, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mike Rogers. Mike Rogers: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Abdul El-Sayed: F, 24 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Michigan: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Mike Rogers, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Rogers, so the grade above comes from this list: what Rogers has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Sponsored the 2012 House bill that pushed the State Department to name the Haqqani Network a terrorist organization. The Senate version became law that August.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count signing a bill to name the Haqqani Network a terrorist organization as with liberty.
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On the day the United States began airstrikes on the Islamic Republic, backed the operation and called the Islamic Republic an imminent threat.
“Iran is an imminent threat to our country and must not have a nuclear weapon.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is maximum pressure on the regime in Tehran. I count a vote to stop American action against it as against liberty; he backed the action.
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In a speech in September 2026, named radical Islamic terrorism as the enemy behind the September 11 attacks and called the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group.
“And the enemy had a name. Radical Islamic terrorism. I have spent much of my life confronting this enemy — head on.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count signing the bill to name the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization as with liberty.
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Said in a campaign video in September 2026 that the war with the Islamic Republic should end quickly. In July he had said he did not mind the president having the authority to continue it.
“The war with Iran needs to end and end quickly.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Wanting the war over does not say how it should end, and he did not oppose the authority to fight it. That settles nothing, so it counts for nothing.
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Voted for the 2009 House resolution in support of Iranians protesting for freedom, human rights and the rule of law. It passed 405 to 1.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count a vote for a resolution backing Iranian protesters as with liberty.
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As chairman of the House Intelligence Committee in 2014, called for the United States to arm Ukraine's army against a Russian invasion.
“protect and defend themselves. And I think that sends a very clear message.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count a vote for aid to Ukraine as with liberty.
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Said during his 2024 campaign that a negotiated settlement would be important to end Russia's war on Ukraine, and that Ukraine should repay American aid once it has recovered.
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
This neither backs Ukraine nor leaves it. It settles nothing, so it counts for nothing.
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Says he will keep fighting for unconditional support for Israel's right to defend itself.
“I have a record of, and will continue to, fight for unconditional support for Israel’s right to defend herself.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count votes for security aid to Israel as with liberty, and votes to cut it as against.
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Voted against the Affordable Care Act in 2010. It passed the House 219 to 212.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is free markets. I count votes against large new government programs as with liberty.
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Said at a Michigan factory in April 2026 that tariffs were having a positive effect by bringing jobs back.
“Tariffs are having some positive impact here because of the reshoring that’s happening.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
I haven't ruled on tariffs yet, so this counts for nothing.
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Said that as a senator he would work to keep girls' sports and spaces for girls.
“As Senator, I will work with President Trump and our leaders in Lansing to protect girls’ sports and spaces.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count a vote for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act as with liberty.
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Voted in 2004 for the Pledge Protection Act, which passed the House 247 to 173.
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
My list of scored votes has no vote of this kind on it yet, so it counts for nothing here either.
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Praised the July 2025 tax and spending law for funding F-15EX fighter jets at Selfridge air base in Michigan.
“This landmark legislation also secures funding for F-15EX Fighter Jets in Selfridge to Make America Safe Again and return Michigan to the arsenal of democracy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is funding and equipping the armed forces.
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Thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement for an arrest in Detroit.
“I’m grateful for ICE’s swift action to keep Michigan students and communities safe before anyone else was victimized.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is enforcing immigration law. He backs the agency that does it.
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After a visit to the southern border in January 2026, backed more spending on border security.
“President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts not only keep more money in Michiganders’ pockets but invest in historic and transformational border security.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is a secure border and enforced immigration law.
Abdul El-Sayed, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for El-Sayed, so the grade above comes from this list: what El-Sayed has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Opposes the United States war with the Islamic Republic and wants a deal on the model of the 2015 nuclear agreement instead.
“While I oppose a nuclear-armed Iran, I understand that diplomatic means of achieving that goal are more effective and come with a far lower human cost, just as President Obama had achieved under the JCPOA.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
I count a vote to stop American action against the regime as against liberty, and a deal that leaves the regime in place the same way.
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Asked on CNN why he told staff he did not want to comment on the killing of the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said the war should never have been fought.
“So, yes, I didn't want to comment on it then because it's a ridiculous pretext.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
The measure is maximum pressure on the regime in Tehran. Opposing the war that removed its leader is the other side of that.
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Calls for an immediate American arms embargo on Israel, including defensive weapons.
“I support an immediate arms embargo on Israel and reject the false differentiation between “offensive” and “defensive” weapons.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
I count a vote to block a single weapons sale to Israel as against liberty. An embargo blocks all of them.
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Said on CNN that he questions whether Israel has a right to American tax dollars.
“Whatever you think about the right of Israel to exist, I wonder if they have a right to our tax dollars.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
I count votes for security aid to Israel as with liberty, and votes to cut it as against.
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Said on NBC's Meet the Press that he supports American military aid to Ukraine.
“So when we’re talking about taking on Putin and his violation of international law, I do believe we have a responsibility to uphold international law and, therefore, to support Ukraine in its efforts.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
I count a vote for aid to Ukraine as with liberty.
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Asked at a University of Michigan town hall to stand against the Revolutionary Guard and with Iranian protesters, said he stands with movements for freedom and democracy, and that who leads Iran is for Iranians to decide.
“One can stand in solidarity with freedom and democracy movements, but my worry is when one decides that we are going to go in and take out the leadership of a foreign government”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He says he stands with freedom movements, and he did not say he stands against the Revolutionary Guard. That does not settle it either way, so it counts for nothing.
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Asked in the first Senate debate whether the Islamic Republic or Israel is the bigger threat to America, would not choose and said both have been dangerous.
“I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Putting an ally on a level with the regime that is at war with America is the opposite of standing with Israel.
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States on his campaign site that he opposes any use of government power against peaceful protest.
“And I stand against the weaponization of the state to stamp out or intimidate peaceful protest, including the freedom to boycott.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is no censorship by government. This is that.
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Asked on NBC's Meet the Press where he differs from Bernie Sanders, answered capitalism, and said he supports markets with free entry and exit.
“when it comes to the question of capitalism, allocating capital based on supply and demand at the level at which it’s supposed to work, where you have free entry and exit into markets, you know, I support that idea.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
This is how he describes himself, not a policy. I mark policies, so it counts for nothing.
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Supports Medicare for All: government health insurance for every American, with no premiums, copays or deductibles.
“Medicare for All does not have to ban additional private insurance through unions or employers, although Medicare for All should make those choices redundant and unnecessary.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
The measure is free markets. A government plan meant to make private insurance unnecessary is the other direction.
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States on his campaign site that gender-affirming care, including for minors, is a decision for the patient, the parents and the doctor only.
“Healthcare decisions should be made by a patient (and their parents if they are a minor) and their doctor–no one else. That includes reproductive and gender-affirming care.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
The measure is against gender ideology. Backing this care for minors is the other side of it.
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In a 2022 speech to the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, tied Oklahoma's ban on Sharia law in its courts to the Trail of Tears.
“The reason I wanted to go all the way back to the 1830s is because you can’t understand a Shariah ban without understanding the Trail of Tears.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
I count signing the No Shari'a Act as with liberty. He argues against a ban of that kind. He has not said he supports Sharia law, and the same article says so.
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States on his campaign site that he believes in freedom of religion and freedom from it.
“I believe in the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of and from religion, and the freedom of self-expression.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
The measure is the same freedom for believers and non-believers. This is that.
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Asked on Fox News about state laws that bar courts from applying Sharia law, said the laws target a small community.
“When people preemptively go out there and start preemptively passing laws to ban something that's not happening, what you're trying to do is target a very small community because they're different”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
I count signing the No Shari'a Act as with liberty. He opposes laws of that kind.
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Wrote in a Detroit Free Press candidate questionnaire that the military budget should be cut.
“We need to curb our over-inflated military budget that is being spent to make war that only makes us less safe and raises our energy prices.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
The measure is funding and equipping the armed forces. I count a vote for the yearly defense bill as with liberty.
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Calls for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that carries out deportations.
“Rather than protecting us, it has become the thing from which we need to be protected. Abolishing this agency is the only safe path forward”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
The measure is enforcing immigration law and deporting those who break it. This removes the agency that does it.
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Said on CNN that he supports a secure border and the enforcement of immigration law.
“I believe in a safe and secure border, full stop.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A secure border is the measure. Taken with the line above, his record on it is mixed.
Also on the ballot
Lydia Christensen (Libertarian), Walter P. Kristy (Natural Law), Tim Long (U.S. Taxpayers), Douglas P. Marsh (Green).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Michigan Senate
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