Senate candidates debate trade, Iran war and immigration in Michigan and Kansas
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In their final Senate debates, Michigan candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers sparred over tariffs, the Iran conflict and ICE, while Kansas contenders Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton clashed on diesel prices, Ukraine, and U.S. weapons sales to Israel.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers faced off in a debate that highlighted disagreements on trade policy, the war with Iran and immigration enforcement. Rogers questioned the effectiveness of tariffs on Canada, calling them a “mixed bag,” and said he would support any measure that benefits Michigan’s auto industry. > "If it’s good for Michigan, I’m going to be for it. If it’s bad for Michigan, I’m going to be against it," he said. He also criticized El-Sayed for repeatedly mentioning President Donald Trump, describing the tactic as a “bingo game.”
El-Sayed accused Rogers of backing the war on Iran, linking the conflict to higher gasoline and diesel prices in the United States. He cited American Automobile Association data showing gasoline at $4.44 per gallon and diesel at $6.41 per gallon, up sharply from a year earlier. > "The consequences of this war are that you are paying nearly $5 per gallon in gas. You’re paying more in groceries because of the price of diesel," El-Sayed said, adding that President Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal had contributed to the situation.
On immigration, Rogers defended the Trump administration’s ICE operations, arguing they reduce crime, while El-Sayed condemned ICE raids on schools, workplaces and places of worship and said he does not support ICE. > "We should continue to do that. Find those folks who are committing crimes and get them the heck out of the country," Rogers said.
In Kansas, Republican Senator Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton debated diesel costs and foreign policy. Marshall blamed Russia’s war in Ukraine for rising diesel prices and expressed tentative support for a deal to release Russian diesel to the U.S., noting it could help end the conflict. Hamilton countered that such a move would “sell out” Ukraine. Diesel in Kansas averaged $6.32 per gallon, according to AAA.
Both candidates addressed immigration, with Marshall supporting stricter border policies and Hamilton criticizing recent ICE raids that he said frighten agricultural workers. They each expressed cautious support for making the E-Verify system mandatory for employers.
Regarding U.S. arms sales to Israel, Hamilton said he backs defensive weapons but opposes supplying bombs used in attacks on densely populated areas. Marshall defended the U.S.–Israel alliance, stating that national security and border security should be prioritized.