The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Abdul El-Sayed (D) defeated Mike Rogers (R). The call came on November 4, 2026. The seat was open because Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat, did not seek re-election, so the result is a Democratic hold rather than a pickup.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Abdul El-Sayed (D) |
| Called by | Associated Press, November 4, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic hold |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. Full chamber results are on the Senate results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seat | U.S. Senate, Michigan |
| Candidates | Mike Rogers (R) and Abdul El-Sayed (D) |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Registration deadline | The regular deadline has passed; same-day registration is available through Election Day |
| Voting guide | How to vote in Michigan |
Who is running?
This race is part of the wider fight for the Senate majority; our Michigan Senate hub collects related coverage.
Mike Rogers (Republican). Rogers represented Michigan's 8th Congressional District and worked as an FBI agent before that, according to his official biography. He is the Republican nominee.
Abdul El-Sayed (Democratic). El-Sayed is a physician who served as Wayne County's health director and ran for governor in 2018, according to his campaign and public records. He is the Democratic nominee.
Other candidates. Michigan ballots can include third-party and independent candidates. The Michigan secretary of state publishes the official lineup.
Polls
Public polling in the Michigan Senate race 2026 has been frequent, and the averages have moved as the campaign has developed. We do not publish a poll number we have not sourced, and a single survey does not settle a statewide race: samples of registered or likely voters carry a margin of error of several points, and the sponsor and field dates matter as much as the topline.
Where to find current numbers
- 270toWin's 2026 Senate tracker — state-by-state polling averages and race ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published Michigan surveys.
- Silver Bulletin — polling averages and a forecast model.
Each tracker dates its average, and each underlying poll lists a margin of error. Check both before you treat a lead as real; a lead of one or two points inside the margin is not a lead.
Race rating and forecast
Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ each rate Senate races on a scale that runs from safe for one party to toss-up. They do not always agree, and a rating is a judgment about the state of the race rather than a prediction. We do not restate a rating without its date, so check the current rating at each rater: Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ.
A toss-up rating means either party could win, usually within the range where polling error or a late shift decides it. Ratings change with new polling and spending, so check the date on any rating you read.
Key issues
The economy and manufacturing
Pew Research Center's September 28 to October 4, 2026 survey found that 84% of voters call the economy very important, the top answer for both parties. Michigan's economy is tied to auto manufacturing and its supply chain, and the shift to electric vehicles is reshaping both. Both candidates will be pressed on which policies they say protect those jobs.
Health care
Health care is very important to 68% of voters in the Pew survey. Medicaid enrollment and hospital finances are closely watched in Michigan, and the candidates' views on federal health spending will matter to voters in older industrial counties.
Abortion
Abortion is very important to 46% of voters overall, 43% of Republicans, and 49% of Democrats. Michigan's constitution and state law set abortion policy, and federal legislation is also on the table, so the Senate race carries the issue beyond the state.
Immigration
Immigration is very important to 59% of all voters and 72% of Republicans in the Pew survey. The issue is fought mostly in national messaging, but Senate control determines which immigration bills reach a vote, so both candidates will be asked how they would vote.
How to vote in Michigan
The regular registration deadline has passed, but Michigan allows same-day registration through Election Day. Early in-person voting begins nine days before Election Day. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without an excuse. On Election Day, polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Check your registration and track your ballot at the Michigan Secretary of State. Our full Michigan voting guide covers ID rules and local clerks.
What to watch in the Michigan Senate race 2026
- Turnout in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. The Detroit metro area supplies a large share of the statewide vote, and both parties will watch whether it matches recent presidential-year turnout.
- Union households. Union backing and get-out-the-vote programs are closely watched, and endorsements are listed as they are announced.
- Spending. National groups on both sides are likely to spend in the final week. Federal campaign finance filings are the best place to follow who is spending and where.
Results
Results were updated after polls closed on November 3, 2026. We do not report live results from the field; our results page links to official state counts and the AP race call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for Senate in Michigan in 2026?
Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health director, are the major-party nominees. The Michigan secretary of state publishes the full ballot lineup.
What is at stake in the Michigan Senate race?
Control of the Senate. Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats 47; Democrats need a net gain of four to reach 51, so Michigan's result changes the math for both parties.
What do the polls show in the Michigan Senate race?
Trackers publish a current average, but we do not repeat a number without a source and date. See the 270toWin, RealClearPolitics, and Silver Bulletin links above.
When is Election Day in Michigan?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting starts earlier, so check the Michigan voting guide.
Can I register to vote on Election Day in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan allows same-day registration through Election Day. The Michigan voting guide explains what to bring.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections — race tracker. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Michigan Secretary of State: Elections — registration and absentee voting. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Pew Research Center — September 28 to October 4, 2026 issue survey. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- AP News — Michigan coverage and race calls. Accessed October 27, 2026.