Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has confirmed he will not participate in a previously scheduled televised debate against his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed. The debate, which was set to air on Fox 2 Detroit, did not take place as planned after Rogers announced his withdrawal.

Rogers stated that he never formally agreed to the debate format, characterizing the potential event as a "2-on-1" scenario. He reiterated this position during an interview with CBS News Detroit’s Heath Kalb, suggesting that the involvement of the moderator would have created an unfair disadvantage.

In response to the cancellation, Abdul El-Sayed appeared at the Fox 2 Detroit studio as scheduled. He spent an hour speaking from the stage next to an empty podium intended for Rogers. The event served as a platform for El-Sayed to address voters despite the absence of his opponent. While Rogers has been clear about his refusal to attend, the two campaigns remain at odds over the expectations and fairness of the debate arrangements. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the candidates as they navigate the final stages of the Michigan Senate race.