Michigan, Georgia and Maine hold Senate debates ahead of midterms

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 06:14 · Archive

Candidates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine debated on Thursday night in closely watched Senate races with control of Congress at stake.

Candidates in three closely watched US Senate races debated on Thursday night with control of Congress at stake. In Georgia, incumbent Democratic senator Jon Ossoff faced Republican representative Mike Collins. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul Al-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers debated over the state's open Senate seat. In Maine, longtime senator Susan Collins met Democratic challenger Troy Jackson.

Affordability emerged as a major topic across all three debates, as candidates addressed voter concerns about the cost of goods, gas, housing and healthcare. In the Michigan debate, Al-Sayed asked "Can you afford your gas? Can you afford your groceries under this guy who's going to rubber stamp everything Donald Trump tells him to rubber stamp?" Both Al-Sayed and Rogers said they support suspending a fuel tax to alleviate costs, while Al-Sayed argued that the Iran war needs to end to bring down gas prices. Rogers called Al-Sayed 'bought off' by billionaire George Soros, Hamas and Hezbollah.

In Georgia, Ossoff repeatedly asked Collins to justify his support for Trump's global tariff policies, which Ossoff said have 'crushed Georgia families' and 'strangled' economic growth. Candidates traded personal attacks and clashed over abortion rights and other issues. Democrats need to flip four Republican-held Senate seats to win the majority in the chamber.

How it is being reported

• US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and MaineCandidates traded personal attacks and clashed over a range of issues in closely watched US Senate debates on Thursday, with control of Congress at stake With just weeks left in the contentious midterm election campaign, candidates in a trio of highly-competitive Senate races debated Thursday night, clashing over the economy, tariffs, the Iran war and abortion rights, with control of the upper chamber at stake. In Georgia, incumbent Democratic senator Jon Ossoff faced GOP representative Mike Collins. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul Al-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers debated over the state’s…The Guardian · 9 Oct, 05:48
• Michigan, Georgia holding high-stakes Senate debatesSenate candidates in both Michigan and Georgia will take the debate stage for the first time on Thursday night. CBS News' Aaron Navarro and Skyler Henry have the latest.CBS News · 8 Oct, 22:57

In this story: Jon Ossoff · Mike Collins · Abdul Al-Sayed · Mike Rogers · Susan Collins · Troy Jackson · Michigan · Georgia

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