---
title: "Grand Rapids, Mich., hosts fiery El-Sayed-Rogers debate"
url: https://www.heredetroit.com/2026/10/10/grand-rapids-el-sayed-rogers-senate-debate/
date: 2026-10-10T09:12:22-04:00
modified: 2026-10-14T16:03:43-04:00
author: "HERE Grand Rapids"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Detroit"
attribution: "HERE Detroit"
---

# Grand Rapids, Mich., hosts fiery El-Sayed-Rogers debate

*Source: [HERE Detroit](https://www.heredetroit.com/2026/10/10/grand-rapids-el-sayed-rogers-senate-debate/) — October 10, 2026 by HERE Grand Rapids*

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Senate hopefuls Abdul El-Sayed (D) and Mike Rogers (R) traded personal shots Thursday night here in their first face-to-face general-election clash.

The hour-long televised forum opened on rising gas prices before sharpening into exchanges over the war in Iran, health care and the national debt. Both said they favor a temporary federal gas-tax pause while disagreeing on the war’s economic impact and military results.

Rogers defended U.S. operations against Iran and accused El-Sayed of misleading voters. El-Sayed criticized the war’s effect at the pump and said Rogers was shifting positions to climb in the polls.

On health care, Rogers attacked El-Sayed’s Medicare for All stance and warned of higher taxes. El-Sayed said his plan would lower costs for working households while keeping private coverage as an option.

Later El-Sayed pushed higher taxes on billionaires as a debt fix; Rogers blamed Washington’s spending habits. Fact checks noted clashes on tariffs and outside-group ties as well.

A second debate is set for Detroit on Oct. 21. For local voters, Thursday offered an early, combative look at the November Senate choice.