Michigan and Georgia Senate hopefuls face off Thursday night
Two of the country's top Senate races hold debates Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers meet for the first time in Michigan. In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins in their first televised matchup.
Two Senate races that could help decide control of the chamber hold debates Thursday night.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers share a debate stage for the first time. The hour-long debate starts at 7 p.m. ET in Grand Rapids. WOOD-TV political reporter Rick Albin will moderate. Candidates get 60 seconds to answer each question and 30 seconds for closing remarks, CBS Detroit reported. Rogers skipped a Sept. 15 debate on WJBK, saying he never agreed to it.
The seat is open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is stepping down. El-Sayed is a former Michigan health official who backs a "Medicare for All" plan. Rogers served in the Army and the FBI and is a former member of Congress. A Mitchell Research poll had El-Sayed at 45.6% and Rogers at 41.4%, with 6% undecided.
Trade and the Iran war are expected to be big topics, Michigan Public reported. Rogers has recently called for ending the trade war with Canada and the war with Iran. "The war with Iran needs to end and end quickly," he said in an ad. El-Sayed has opposed both all along. "The guy's flip flopped so many times," he said of Rogers. Rogers says he can work with the Trump administration. "My opponent, all he wants to do is fight with Trump," he said.
In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff and Rep. Mike Collins hold their first televised debate, also at 7 p.m. ET. Atlanta News First is hosting. It airs on Gray Media stations across the state, including WANF in Atlanta, WTOC in Savannah, WRDW in Augusta, WALB in Albany, WPGA in Macon and WTVM in Columbus.
Ossoff is running for his first reelection. His is the only Democratic Senate seat on the ballot this year in a state Trump won in 2024. Collins, who represents Georgia's 10th District, won the GOP nomination in a June runoff. Expected topics include prices, immigration, health care, abortion under Georgia's six-week law, crime and voting.
Maine's Senate candidates also debate Thursday, at 8 p.m. ET.
What we know: Both debates start at 7 p.m. ET and air live on local TV.
What we don't: Whether either debate shifts races that polls show are close.
Where outlets agree CBS Detroit and Michigan Public both report the Grand Rapids debate is the first time El-Sayed and Rogers will meet on a debate stage.
Where they differ Rogers says he can work with Trump to solve Michigan's problems, while El-Sayed says Rogers has flip-flopped on tariffs and the Iran war to keep Trump happy.