El-Sayed targets rural voters in final Michigan Senate push

Abdul El-Sayed launched a final door-to-door canvass in Wyandotte on Wednesday to reach voters before Election Day. The campaign is concentrating on direct outreach while centering its message on health care reform, foreign policy, and the future composition of the U.S. Senate.

The candidate faces Republican challenger Mike Rogers for a seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. This contest is considered one of the most closely watched in the current midterm cycle. A new poll released by Mitchell Research and Communications shows specific results among likely voters, though the data was exclusive to CBS News Detroit.

President Donald Trump has publicly questioned El-Sayed's alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed denies those ties. Rep. Debbie Dingell spoke at the Wyandotte event to counter the presidential rhetoric. "Or calling people terrorists. The only terrorist in this country is in the White House right now," Dingell said.

El-Sayed is criticizing federal Medicaid spending reductions included in the recent tax-and-spending legislation. Several changes are scheduled to take effect in January. "Addressing these Medicaid tax cuts is one of the most important things we can do, and it's something I intend to work on," El-Sayed said. "And let me tell you, it's going to hit rural communities harder."

The candidate argued that federal tax dollars should fund domestic needs like schools rather than military operations abroad. "I want our tax dollars spent here, right to build schools, rather than sent abroad to drop bombs on anyone," El-Sayed said. "I don't think we should be funding foreign militaries generally."

The outcome may determine which party controls the Senate. That chamber confirms federal judicial nominees, including Supreme Court picks. "Can you imagine if the majority of the Supreme Court was nominated by Donald Trump?" El-Sayed said.