GOP Calls Out Republican For Ditching El-Sayed Debate

CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp is calling on Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers to make the most of every campaign opportunity after Rogers did not participate in a televised Michigan event featuring Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

The dispute comes as Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race attracts national attention ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

Speaking on Newsmax, Schlapp said his criticism was not personal. He described Rogers as someone he knows and respects from their years in Washington but argued that the Republican candidate needs to be highly visible as the campaign enters its final stretch.

“You are behind, sir. You are behind,” Schlapp said. “This race should be very winnable. Show up.”

Schlapp said Rogers should appear at as many campaign events as possible and use those opportunities to explain his positions and contrast them with El-Sayed’s.

Schlapp Says Republicans Should Participate Despite Media Concerns

Schlapp also addressed concerns among Republicans about perceived political bias from television moderators.

His position was simple: candidates should still participate.

“This is the game we play,” Schlapp said. “But you still show up.”

Schlapp argued that appearing before voters gives candidates an opportunity to make their case directly, even when they disagree with how an event is organized or moderated.

Rogers Misses FOX 2 Detroit Event

FOX 2 Detroit held its televised U.S. Senate event on September 15 with El-Sayed participating and a podium available for Rogers.

FOX 2 reported that invitations were sent to both campaigns on August 5, the day after Michigan’s primary election.

El-Sayed’s campaign accepted the invitation the following day. FOX 2 said Rogers’ campaign acknowledged receiving the invitation but did not confirm that Rogers would participate. The campaign ultimately declined on the morning of the event.

Rogers disputes the suggestion that he backed out of an agreed-upon debate.

Speaking with CBS Detroit afterward, Rogers said his campaign had never committed to participating.

“We never agreed to it,” Rogers said.

He also characterized the FOX 2 program as a town hall rather than a traditional debate and accused moderator Roop Raj of showing favoritism toward El-Sayed.

FOX 2 nevertheless promoted the program as a U.S. Senate debate and left a podium available for Rogers during the broadcast.

Rogers and El-Sayed Have Another Debate Scheduled

Michigan voters will still have opportunities to see the two candidates appear together.

Both Rogers and El-Sayed have agreed to participate in an October 8 debate hosted by WOOD TV8, according to FOX 2.

Additional campaign events are expected before voters head to the polls.

The candidates are competing for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.

Who Is Mike Rogers?

Rogers previously represented Michigan in the U.S. House and served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

He was also the Republican nominee for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat in 2024, when he lost a closely contested race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin.

Rogers returned to the campaign trail in 2026 seeking the seat being left open by Peters.

His campaign has focused on issues including the economy, national security, immigration and government spending.

Who Is Abdul El-Sayed?

El-Sayed is a physician and former executive director of the Detroit Health Department.

He secured the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s open Senate seat in the August primary.

His campaign has emphasized issues including healthcare, the economy and government policy affecting working families.

Michigan Senate Race Draws National Attention

Michigan’s Senate contest is among the races receiving significant attention during the 2026 midterm election cycle because the result will contribute to determining which party controls the chamber.

That has placed additional focus on debates, television appearances, campaign rallies and candidate interviews.

For Schlapp, Rogers’ absence from the FOX 2 event highlighted a broader campaign principle.

His message was that candidates seeking statewide office should take advantage of opportunities to speak directly to voters, even when they have concerns about the format or the people asking the questions.

Rogers, meanwhile, maintains that he never agreed to the September 15 event and has committed to appearing opposite El-Sayed at another televised debate.

With Election Day approaching, Michigan voters will have additional opportunities to compare the candidates and their positions on major issues affecting the state and the country.