Michigan US Senate candidates Slotkin, Rogers taking debate stage tonight in Grand Rapids
The debate at the studios of WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids is the first of two in one of the nation’s most closely watched toss-up races. T
This combination photo of Michigan Senate candidates shows Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., in Detroit, Aug. 6, 2024, left, and former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., Aug. 6, 2024, in Lake Orion, Mich.
The Republican and Democratic nominees seeking Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat will meet Tuesday night in Grand Rapids for their first debate.
The debate at the studios of WOOD-TV is the first of two debates between Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) and former Congressman Mike Rogers (R-White Lake Township) in one of the nation’s most closely watched toss-up races. That’s because it will help decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Pollster Richard Czuba of the Glengariff Group says the candidates need to appeal to middle-of-the-road undecided voters while also keeping the party’s base happy.
“The first rule of a debate is just don’t do damage to yourself and if somebody does damage, well, that’s when the debate becomes important,” Czuba said.
A Glengariff Group poll commissioned by The Detroit News and WDIV-TV shows the race between Slotkin and Rogers is within the margin of error.
“It’s going to be decided by independents,” Czuba said. “It’s going to be decided in the middle. So I think we need to listen tonight for how is each of these candidates making an appeal to those independents who are going to decide this.”
Where to watch
- The debate will air at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, on Wood TV-8 in Grand Rapids, and livestreamed at woodtv.com.
- Several TV stations will be carrying the debate as well, including WLNS TV-6 in Lansing, WDIV Local 4+ in Detroit, and WJRT in Flint and Saginaw, among others.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
