Voters in Michigan are making their decision in a crucial election that could help shape politics in the state and the country for years to come.
Key statewide races for the US Senate, governor, attorney general and secretary of state are on the line. Early voting is already underway, and both parties are putting their full weight to win over Michigan voters.
President Donald Trump rallied Republicans Port Huron, northeast of Detroit, where he unleashed wave after wave of anti-Muslim attacks against Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
Former President Barack Obama visited Detroit a day earlier to shore up support for El-Sayed and other Democratic candidates.
El-Sayed’s race against former Congressman Mike Rogers has drawn national and international attention – overshadowing other important contests including the governor’s election between Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn and Republican Congressman John James.
Here’s a look at the statewide races and where the candidates stand.
Senate: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed v Republican Mike Rogers
The race to replace retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters has emerged as one of the most important and closely watched elections in the country.
If elected, El-Sayed would become the country’s first-ever Muslim senator.
A former public health official in Detroit and Wayne County has focused his campaign on expanding medicare to all Americans, getting money out of politics and the skyrocketing gas prices.
He has also criticized US aid to Israel, accusing the country of carrying out a genocide in Gaza. El-Sayed argues that US taxpayer dollars are better spent to address issues at home than on wars overseas.
Rogers is running a pro-Tump campaign that has largely focused on his opponent’s Muslim faith, with incessant unfounded allegations of links between El-Sayed and the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah and Hamas.
On policy, Rogers has called for increasing energy production and promised to work with Trump to shore up manufacturing jobs in Michigan.
The former congressman is a staunch Israel supporter. He also backed the war with Iran, which El-Sayed opposes.
The election in Michigan could decide which party controls the Senate for the next two years. The Senate is the upper chamber of Congress. It approves legislation along with the House of Representatives. It also ratifies treaties and confirms judges and cabinet level nominees appointed by the president.
Senators are elected to six-year terms.
Governor: Democrat Jocelyn Benson v Republican John James
The governor is the top executive that runs the state. Benson and James are looking to replace Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited.
Benson has served as secretary of state for the past eight years. James, who is backed by Trump, previously ran for the Senate and he was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2022.
Both Benson and James are running campaigns focused on accountability.
Benson has promised to streamline building permits to increase housing availability and bring down costs. She also pledged to “fix broken systems” to bring down the price of gas and groceries.
James has said he would implement an “immediate” 25 percent reduction to the state’s income tax. He supports increasing funding for law enforcement.
Governors are elected to four-year terms, but they are limited to two terms in office only.
Attorney general: Democrat Eli Savit v Republican Doug Lloyd
The attorney general is the top prosecutor in the state. Attorneys general can choose where to focus law enforcement efforts, what cases to pursue and which ones to drop.
The outgoing attorney general is Democrat Dana Nassel, who chose to prosecute University of Michigan students who protested against the genocide in Gaza. She is term-limited.
Democrats have nominated Eli Savit, the top prosecutor in Washtenaw County for the post. Savit has promised to not only punish crime but to work to prevent it. He has made protecting women from sexual abuse and human trafficking a key part of his campaign.
His campaign is also focused on protecting workers’ rights.
Savit’s opponent is Eaton County prosecutor Doug Lloyd, who has promised to “prosecute criminals fairly, without political favor or bias.”
Lloyd has also vowed to fight corruption and “weaponized prosecutions.”
Secretary of State: Garlin Gilchrist II v Republican Anthony Forlini
The secretary of state oversees elections in Michigan and regulates drivers’ licenses and vehicle services.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and former State Rep. Anthony Forlini are running to replace Benson, who is term-limited and seeking the governor’s office.
Gilchrist’s platform is focused on pushing back against dark money groups that spend freely in elections in Michigan, modernizing the drivers’ licensing system and fighting abuse against voter registration information or license-plate data.
He has also promised to hold “accountable companies that rip you off when you get your car fixed.”
Forlini has vowed to protect “the integrity” of our election and run “a modern, accountable office that respects taxpayers and treats people well.”
