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MICHIGAN (WSBT) — Affordability was a major point of debate on Thursday as Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers faced off in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.
The candidates traded criticism over rising costs, healthcare and their plans to make life more affordable for Michigan families.
With gas, groceries, housing and healthcare weighing on household budgets, both candidates say the economy is a major concern.
But during their first televised debate, they disagreed over what’s driving those costs and whether their opponents’ policies would make things better or worse.
El-Sayed blamed rising costs in part on President Trump’s policies, pointing to the war in Iran and tariffs as factors affecting families’ finances.
Affordability was a major point of debate on Thursday as Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers faced off in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race. (WSBT 22)
He has also called for major changes to healthcare, including a Medicare for All system, and has argued that government should do more to address the cost of living.
Rogers, meanwhile, argues that El-Sayed’s proposals would come with higher taxes and energy costs.
He criticized the Democrats’ healthcare plan, saying it would shift private health insurance into government hands and increase costs for taxpayers.
“I understand that gas is too expensive. Groceries are unaffordable. I understand that it’s really hard to see a doctor. And I want to solve that. And the reason we haven’t is because we’ve got corporate politicians who are going to do the bidding of people like Donald Trump. The war in Iran, the tariff war,” said Abdul El-Sayed (D) candidate for Senate.
“We cannot afford Abdul, and we cannot risk his ideology-think about what he’s proposing, the largest, most massive tax increase in the history, taking over your private health insurance and giving it to the government. Huge increases in your energy costs,” said Mike Rogers, (R) Candidate for Senate.
The candidates are scheduled to meet for a second debate in Detroit on October 21st, ahead of the November 3rd election.
Both are fighting for the open seat left by Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who is retiring
