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Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed drew sharp Republican rebukes after invoking Jesus Christ to question GOP opponent Mike Rogers’ Christian faith during an “I’ve Had It Podcast” interview, escalating a personal clash in the pivotal race for Michigan’s open Senate seat.
Michigan Republican Party spokesperson Ted Goodman told Fox News Digital Wednesday that El-Sayed had no standing to dismiss Rogers’ faith while lecturing Christians about their religion.
“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.
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed invoked Jesus while accusing Republican opponent Mike Rogers of hiding behind a “simulacrum of faith.” (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Whether one is a practicing Christian or not, no serious person can minimize the profound contributions of Christian teaching, morality, and philosophy to the founding principles and enduring greatness of America, or to the character of public servants like Mike Rogers who live them out,” he added.
El-Sayed made the remarks after host Jennifer Welch raised questions about members of Rogers’ campaign faith coalition and their connection to Living Word Church. El-Sayed accused Rogers of invoking religion without following what he described as Christ’s eternal message.
“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 said. “Like, that was the essential teaching.”
In a Wednesday statement to Fox News Digital, RNC national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre responded by questioning El-Sayed’s compatibility with American culture.
Michigan Republican Party spokesperson Ted Goodman accused El-Sayed of dismissing Rogers’ “sincere faith” while lecturing Christians about Jesus. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO EXTREMIST FUEL ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS AMONG JEWISH VOTERS
“He’s fundamentally incompatible with Western values and invoking Jesus’ name isn’t going to change that,” Baldassarre said.
Rogers broadened the cultural dispute during an appearance on “Hannity,” accusing El-Sayed of opposing American traditions popular with Michigan voters.
“When I go back, I want to, you know, make sure we’re protecting our faith, and our families, and our factories, while he’s advocating… doing away with our fireworks, football, the 4th of July,” Rogers said. “This guy spent hours hating on what most Michiganders would enjoy in their pastimes, and he should be held into account for that.”
El-Sayed answered Rogers’ criticism Wednesday by challenging him on X to play football without protective equipment.
Rogers accused El-Sayed of opposing Michigan traditions as the rivals intensified their battle for the state’s open Senate seat. (Andrew Roth/Reuters)
“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 said.
El-Sayed defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in last week’s Democratic primary and will face Rogers in November for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
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Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed and Rogers for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News.
CJ joined Fox News Digital’s team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.
CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism.
You can send news tips to cj.womack@fox.com and follow CJ on Twitter.
