Michigan U.S. Senate candidates debate gas prices, health care and data center regulations
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- With Michigan’s U.S. Senate race expected to be competitive in November, Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Republican candidate Mike Rogers debated rising gas prices, health care affordability, surveillance technology and data center regulations.
The candidates are competing for votes ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election, proving to be a tight race.
Rising gas prices, driven in part by the ongoing war in Iran, were among the issues discussed during the debate.
El-Sayed blamed the conflict for higher prices at the pump and criticized Rogers for supporting the war.
“There is one thing actually causing this. It's the war in Iran, a war that my opponent has cheerleaded since the beginning,” El-Sayed says. “Called it a win, win, win. I don't know about you, but when I go to the gas tank, I don't feel like I'm winning. I don't feel like our country is winning.”
El-Sayed says he would support pausing the gas tax but argued that ending the war would be the more effective solution.
Rogers proposed temporarily pausing diesel exports to provide relief, saying exports could resume once the conflict ends.
“A pause on exports of diesel to give a temporary break, that can resume once the war comes to an end, and I believe it will come to an end,” Rogers says.
Affordability was another major issue during the debate, particularly the cost of health care.
El-Sayed advocated for expanding Medicare coverage, saying he wants every American to have access to health care throughout their lives without premiums, copays or deductibles.
“I want to guarantee every single person in this country, cradle to grave, coverage, without premiums, copays, deductibles,” El-Sayed says.
He also accused Rogers of benefiting from relationships with large pharmaceutical companies while Americans struggle with rising health care costs.
Rogers defended his record, pointing to his work in Congress to accelerate the availability of generic drugs.
“When I was in Congress, I actually pushed the acceleration of generic drugs. Trust me, the pharmaceutical companies not happy about it,” Rogers says.
The candidates also discussed government oversight of surveillance technology and its development, including license plate-reading cameras operated by companies such as Flock Safety.
Both candidates expressed support for federal regulations governing the technology, but they disagreed on whether the surveillance systems should remain in use.
Rogers argued that surveillance programs have helped authorities investigate terrorism-related threats.
“Those programs were really, really important in catching people who were suspected of being terrorists or committing a terrorist act,” Rogers says.
El-Sayed raised concerns about privacy and the potential for people to be monitored without their knowledge or consent.
“I think the idea of being surveilled wherever you are without your consent is a very dangerous thing,” El-Sayed says.
The candidates also addressed the growth of data centers amid the expansion of artificial intelligence.
El-Sayed supported greater government oversight of data centers and the technology industry, arguing that corporations have too much influence over policymakers.
“I've been clear we need a term of engagement. We need government that's not bought off by corporations, not bought off by big tech,” El-Sayed says.
Rogers said decisions about data center development should primarily be made at the local level. He emphasized the importance of water management as communities consider new projects.
“It needs to be a local decision. They need to have water control systems so that you're not using more and more water,” Rogers said.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Michigan residents can register to vote through Election Day.
More information on registering to vote and voting locations can be found below:
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/register-to-vote