Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has escalated the battle for the state's open Senate seat by invoking Jesus Christ's teachings to question the faith of his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers.
During an appearance on the "I've Had It Podcast," El-Sayed accused Rogers of using faith as a "simulacrum," arguing that Christ's core message was about challenging the powerful and protecting the vulnerable. "He’s going to hide behind this simulacrum of faith, which clearly, you know, if you followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, it was about upending the system against the richest and most powerful in the ways that they used their power and their money to subjugate other people," El-Sayed stated.
The remarks drew swift criticism from Republicans. Michigan Republican Party spokesperson Ted Goodman told Fox News Digital that El-Sayed had no standing to question Rogers' faith. "It's quite something for Mr. El-Sayed to lecture Christians on the teachings of Jesus while dismissing a man’s sincere faith as somehow, 'simulacrum,'" Goodman said, adding that Rogers "live[s] them out."
RNC national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre questioned El-Sayed's broader compatibility with American values, stating, "He's fundamentally incompatible with Western values and invoking Jesus' name isn't going to change that."
The dispute broadened when Rogers appeared on "Hannity," accusing El-Sayed of opposing traditions popular with Michigan voters. Rogers claimed El-Sayed advocates "doing away with our fireworks, football, the 4th of July," and has "spent hours hating on what most Michiganders would enjoy in their pastimes."
El-Sayed responded to Rogers' criticism on X, formerly Twitter, challenging him to a football game without pads. "Since you're too afraid to debate me, how about you ‘hold me accountable’ on a football field instead. Tackle, no pads like we used to play when we were kids. I'd be happy to show you how much I love football," El-Sayed posted.
El-Sayed defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary and will face Rogers in the general election for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.