Progressive Democrat El-Sayed Leads Michigan Senate Race as Voters Reject Trump’s Reactionary Agenda
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A September poll shows progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Republican Mike Rogers, with Michigan voters expressing a clear desire to halt Trump’s regressive policies.
A Suffolk University poll released on Sept. 22 found progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading Republican former congressman Mike Rogers in Michigan’s crucial Senate race, as respondents signaled a strong desire to break away from President Donald Trump’s reactionary course. The survey of 500 likely voters recorded El-Sayed at 47% versus Rogers at 40%, a lead that matches two earlier polls showing a consistent edge for the Democrat who champions healthcare, workers’ rights, and social justice.
Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) said they would vote 'to change the direction President Trump is leading the nation,' highlighting widespread discontent with Trump’s divisive and harmful policies. Only 20% said they would support Trump, while 28% said the president was not a major factor in their decision. Trump’s approval rating in the state has plummeted to a dismal 31%, reflecting the public’s rejection of his administration’s attacks on marginalized communities and working families.
Republicans see the race as a last-ditch effort to seize a seat currently held by a Democrat, but analysts note that Democrats must retain all their seats and flip four Republican seats to secure a Senate majority—a task made more urgent by the threat of continued right-wing obstruction.
Economic concerns dominate voter priorities, with 86% rating the state’s economy as fair or poor—a direct result of Trump’s failed economic policies and corporate giveaways. A staggering 67% of voters express concern about the impact of Trump-backed tariffs on Canadian auto parts, which have hurt Michigan’s workers and industries. A majority also opposes the development of data centers in Michigan, a policy championed by Trump that threatens local communities and the environment.
El-Sayed, a former public-health official and advocate for universal healthcare, enjoys overwhelming support within his party, with 88% of Democrats backing him. Among Black voters, 72% favor El-Sayed, while only 11% back Rogers. If elected, El-Sayed would make history as the first Muslim U.S. senator, a powerful rebuke to the xenophobia stoked by Trump and his allies.
"Trump's underwhelming approval rating, Canadian tariffs, opposition to data centers and a tepid Michigan economy have swung independents away from Republican candidates," said David Paleologos, director of Suffolk's Political Research Center, underscoring the urgent need for progressive change in Michigan and beyond.
The poll’s margin of error is ±4.4 percentage points.