Press Secretary Criticizes El-Sayed Amid Michigan Senate Race Polls

Incoming White House press secretary Katie Zacharia labeled Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed as “a radical” following a new statewide poll that places him six points ahead of Republican former Representative Mike Rogers in the midterm Senate race. Zacharia made the remarks during a Fox News interview with anchor Jesse Watters, criticizing El-Sayed for his avoidance in answering whether Israel or Iran presents a greater threat to the United States. She stated, “He struggled with it because he does have an answer, and the answer won’t get him elected. This was multiple choice, and he didn’t answer the question.”

Zacharia directed her criticism towards domestic policy, alleging that El-Sayed’s political positions align with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), rather than the economic needs of Michigan. She asserted that El-Sayed “came out against the auto industry,” stating, “He wants to institute all these DSA policies, Medicare for all. He has no interest in serving Michigan, and that is why they need to vote for Mike Rogers right now.” Zacharia concluded by labeling him as “a radical.”

Zacharia’s Fox News comments highlight the stakes in a contest rated as a toss-up by RealClearPolitics, with Election Day nearing on November 3.

Republicans aim to use El-Sayed’s progressive platform as a liability, while Democrats maintain an edge across recent surveys.

Key Points:

• Zacharia accused El-Sayed of prioritizing Democratic Socialists of America policies over Michigan’s auto industry and workforce.
• The incoming press secretary urged voters to support Rogers as she prepared to begin her White House role on Monday.
• Recent polls consistently show El-Sayed level with or ahead of his Republican opponent, although margins vary.
• Survey results display contrasting coalitions divided by age, race, education, geography, and gender.

New Poll Puts El-Sayed Ahead

During Zacharia’s interview, a Wedgewood Polls survey indicated El-Sayed at 53 percent, leading Rogers at 47 percent. Surveying 607 likely Michigan voters from October 8 to 9, it carried a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. While the six-point difference exceeds this margin, polling uncertainty suggests the race could be closer.

Methodological factors, such as turnout assumptions and weighting choices, may also impact findings. The Wedgewood poll highlights different voter support bases, with El-Sayed garnering 90 percent among Black respondents, 62 percent among voters aged 18 to 29, and 61 percent among college graduates. In contrast, Rogers secured 54 percent among white respondents and 52 percent among those without a four-year degree. These subgroups, smaller than the full sample, introduce greater uncertainty.

Democrats rely on support from younger and college-educated voters, while Republicans depend more on older, white, noncollege-educated constituencies.

What Other Polls Show

The RealClearPolitics average of surveys from September 15 to October 6 places El-Sayed at 48.1 percent, ahead of Rogers at 44.9 percent, a 3.2-point Democratic edge. Meanwhile, Quantus Insights found a tighter race, reporting 48 percent to 47 percent after interviewing 762 likely voters from October 5 to 6, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. Mitchell Research measured a five-point lead on October 1, with 46 percent backing El-Sayed, and 41 percent choosing Rogers, covering 680 likely voters with a plus or minus 3.8-point margin of error.

Trafalgar Group’s poll of 1,085 likely voters, conducted from September 28 to 30 with a plus or minus 2.9-point margin, showed a 47 percent to 45 percent result, with five percent undecided. Combined, the data give El-Sayed a modest advantage, although factors such as late movement, turnout, or polling errors could influence the final outcome.

What Happens Next

Zacharia stated her first White House working day would be Monday, noting President Trump’s unpredictability. With her new role, Republicans have a prominent advocate for their closing arguments. However, Michigan voters will ultimately decide if the portrayal of El-Sayed as ideologically extreme affects his current polling advantage.