SHOCK POLL: El-Sayed Opens Up 7-Point Lead Over GOP Rival After Recent Data Showed Him Trailing

Screenshot via CBS News

Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D) came ahead with a healthy lead on his opponent Republican Mike Rogers in the latest polling following recent surveys showing a much closer race.

According to polling from Susquehanna released on Wednesday, El-Sayed is polling at 46% while Rogers is seven points behind at 39%.

Other recent polling has shown a much closer race.

A Fox News survey had Rogers leading El-Sayed at 51%-47%. Another poll from this month, conducted by TechnoMetrica (TIPP) conducted an online survey for the League of American Workers, had El-Sayed leading by three points (45%-42%). Rogers led a late-July EPIC-MRA/MIRS by four points (46%-43%), though that was within the poll’s margin of error.

El-Sayed is a progressive Democrat who managed to defeat Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in his primary. His association with progressive and controversial streamer Hasan Piker and past comments have earned El-Sayed blowback from fellow Dems and given material to Republicans.

Rogers, who has the backing of President Donald Trump, previously served in the House of Representatives 2001-2015.

There has also been some concern about El-Sayed’s electability, even after his primary win. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten pointed out the candidate’s “historically unpopular” polling last week.

Enten noted the Fox News poll showed Rogers leading with independents and said El-Sayed is far more unpopular than other Democrats in similar races.

Candidates in Iowa, Maine, and Ohio all have positive net favorability ratings, while El-Sayed’s is underwater by 13 points, Enten said.

“This is extremely unusual. Again, across the map. Democrats have done such a good job recruiting candidates who are well-liked by the voters,” Enten said. “Again, I looked at all the Fox News polls. All the Democrats were above water except for Abdul El-Sayed. And he is 13 points underwater. This is all about Abdul El-Sayed being a weak candidate, at least in the minds of the voters.”

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