{"id":2647342,"date":"2026-08-20T11:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rogers-and-el-sayed-feud-over-scheduling-debate-mike-dodgers\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T11:23:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:23:59","slug":"rogers-and-el-sayed-feud-over-scheduling-debate-mike-dodgers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rogers-and-el-sayed-feud-over-scheduling-debate-mike-dodgers\/","title":{"rendered":"Rogers and el Sayed feud over scheduling debate: &#8216;Mike Dodgers&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frogers-and-el-sayed-feud-over-scheduling-debate-mike-dodgers%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647342&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike rogers and Democrat abdul el Sayed are engaged in a public dispute over scheduling a debate in an upcoming closely contested race.The Michigan Debate Commission invited both candidates to participate in a debate on September 15, but Rogers has not yet responded, while el Sayed has agreed. El Sayed has criticized Rogers for not confirming, joking about flights from Florida to Michigan to meet him, and calling him \u201cMike Dodgers.\u201d Rogers counters by saying he has been busy traveling within Michigan and meeting voters.The disagreement occurs amid polling that shows el Sayed with a lead over Rogers, who is endorsed by Donald Trump. A recent survey indicates el Sayed leads 46-39 among likely voters, with strong support among Democrats, while rogers has been leveraging primary voters\u2019 support. Both are vying to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"655\">Michigan<\/a> Republican Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-rogers\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1022\">Mike Rogers<\/a> and Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abdul-el-sayed\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23138\">Abdul el Sayed<\/a> are in a public feud over scheduling a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/debate\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11466\">debate<\/a> in the closely watched race, with el Sayed dubbing the Republican \u201cMike Dodgers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Michigan Debate Commission, comprised of two dozen media, business, and academic groups, said on Wednesday that it had invited both candidates to participate in a debate on Sept. 15, before absentee ballots are sent to voters.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4694278\/rogers-el-sayed-feud-over-scheduling-debate-mike-dodgers\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rogers and el Sayed feud over scheduling debate: \u2018Mike Dodgers\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4694164\/missouri-judge-republicans-redistricting-battle\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Missouri judge rules in favor of Republicans in redistricting battle<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4688151\/republican-virginia-7th-district-flip-democratic-seat\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans see Virginia\u2019s 7th District as their best chance to flip a Democratic seat in the state<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed has agreed to the debate, but Rogers has yet to respond. Fox Detroit news anchor Roop Raj said in a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/rooprajfox2\/status\/2089970851680559377?s=20\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/rooprajfox2\/status\/2089970851680559377?s=20\"> social media post <\/a>that two podiums will be on the debate stage, regardless of whether or not Rogers attends, adding that the MDC has reached out to Rogers multiple times.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response to Raj\u2019s post, el Sayed responded with flights from Florida to Michigan. Rogers has faced significant backlash over his multimillion-dollar home in Cape Coral, Florida. Some critics have called the Republican a \u201ccarpetbagger\u201d for running in Michigan despite spending time at his Florida home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI looked for you, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MikeRogersForMI\">@MikeRogersforMI<\/a>, there are at least two flights that will get you into Detroit from Florida in time,\u201d el Sayed said with a photo of two flight options. \u201cOr are you dodging because you\u2019re an empty suit with no original ideas and an indefensible record? Coward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rogers jabbed back at his competitor, saying his calendar has been \u201cjammed up\u201d because he\u2019s been traveling Michigan, meeting with Democratic voters who voted for Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in the primary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow that you\u2019ve recovered from your underwhelming primary performance, we\u2019re looking forward to making sure the rest of Michigan knows EXACTLY who you are,\u201d Rogers said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be in touch soon with a date that works \u2014 need to find a time between our meetings with folks that voted for Haley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed responded: \u201cMike Dodgers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two candidates\u2019 feud over scheduling a debate comes as polling shows el Sayed with a decent edge over Rogers, who has the backing of President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolitics.com\/docs\/2026\/Toplines-Michigan-Statewide-August2026.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolitics.com\/docs\/2026\/Toplines-Michigan-Statewide-August2026.pdf\">According to<\/a> the new Susquehanna Polling and Research survey, the progressive Democrat is leading by 7 points among likely voters in a 46-39 split with Rogers. Nine percent of voters who answered the survey said they are undecided, and 4% said they prefer another candidate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Rogers touted his conversations with voters who picked Stevens in the primary, the poll shows el Sayed is having luck consolidating Democrats\u2019 support. El Sayed is leading Rogers 91% to zero percent with self-identified Democrats, and he\u2019s also doing well among Democrats who identify as progressive and those who do not.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693319\/abdul-el-sayed-outperforms-mike-rogers-michigan-senate-poll\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693319\/abdul-el-sayed-outperforms-mike-rogers-michigan-senate-poll\/\">ABDUL EL SAYED OUTPERFORMS MIKE ROGERS IN LATEST MICHIGAN SENATE POLL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both candidates are running to replace retiring Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gary-peters\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1182\">Gary Peters<\/a> (D-MI), who has held the seat for two six-year terms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Rogers campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rogers and el Sayed clash over debate scheduling in Michigan race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2647343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26220011381098_efc2b6.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[81734,14161,13811,84438],"class_list":["post-2647342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-el-sayed","tag-feud","tag-rogers","tag-scheduling-debate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26220011381098_efc2b6.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647342"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647346,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647342\/revisions\/2647346"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}