Former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, who served as a Democrat from West Virginia before becoming an independent, stated his preference for Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race during a recent appearance on CNBC.
Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in 2024, said he had not formally endorsed any candidates. “No, I’ve not endorsed anybody,” he told co-host Joe Kernen. He described Rogers as “a personal friend of mine” and added, “I like Mike Rogers.”
When asked whether he was comfortable with El-Sayed becoming a senator, Manchin replied, “No.” Pressed further, the former senator added, ““Well, no, no — I do support Mike Rogers. I think Mike Rogers is a good person. I think he’ll do a great job.”
Manchin also grouped Rogers with Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), calling them “independent, free-thinking Republicans, not completely crazy right or completely crazy left.” He indicated he planned to campaign for Collins and noted that Rogers “has to” denounce President Donald Trump’s trade policies to win in Michigan, adding, “We’ll have to see.”
In a follow-up interview with Fox News, Manchin went a step further and encouraged voters to support Rogers. “I’ve served with Mike Rogers. He is very, very intelligent, he does his homework, and he knows what’s going on around the world to keep us safe. So, Mike is a good friend and I encourage people to support Mike Rogers.”
Rogers responded on X by writing that he was “thankful to have the support of a true patriot, former [Senator Joe Manchin].”
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Joe Manchin encourages people to vote for Mike Rogers on Fox News. pic.twitter.com/x2XjhPPKpa
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Manchin’s comments align with a broader pattern of some Democrats and former Democrats publicly backing Rogers or declining to support El-Sayed. Rogers launched a “Democrats for Mike Rogers” coalition this past August.
Among those associated with support for Rogers are Michigan State Rep. Karen Whitsett, who has clashed with Democratic leadership and left the party; Detroit City Council member Mary Waters, who met with Rogers to discuss local issues; Rabbi Asher Lopatin of Huntington Woods, who typically supports Democrats; and Democratic Party fundraiser David Kramer, who previously chaired finance efforts for campaigns of Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI).
Kramer said El-Sayed’s recent rhetoric had become “more extreme and more dangerous and less responsive to the Jewish community,” leading him to vote for Rogers while supporting other Democrats down the ballot.
In addition, former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson co-authored a column urging Democrats to leave the Senate race blank rather than vote for El-Sayed. Others, including former Jill Biden communications director Michael LaRosa and Democratic strategist Julian Epstein, have also expressed opposition to El-Sayed’s candidacy.
Issues raised about El-Sayed center primarily on his foreign policy positions and associations. He has been a vocal critic of Israel, describing its actions in Gaza in strong terms and opposing U.S. military aid. Critics have pointed to his campaigning with streamer Hasan Piker, who has made statements including that “America deserved 9/11” and comments about American Jews that some Democratic leaders called dangerous or antisemitic.
El-Sayed issued statements distancing his campaign from Piker’s remarks and affirming opposition to antisemitism, though he has declined to fully disavow him. After an attack on a Michigan synagogue in March 2026, El-Sayed condemned the act but referred to “hurt people hurt people” and a “cycle” of violence in connection with the perpetrator’s personal losses.
Questions have also been raised about past social media posts made by a half-sister in reference to their mother’s earlier involvement with the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as a 2012 letter El-Sayed signed supporting then-Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. El-Sayed has denied personal ties to the group and stated he was not raised by his mother.
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