Joe Manchin announced his support for Republican candidate Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul el Sayed in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race on CNBC. When asked about el Sayed, Manchin stated he was not okay with el Sayed winning the election. The race is currently a toss-up, with recent polls showing a tightening margin between the two candidates. Manchin also endorsed Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine during the same appearance.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Joe Manchin, a former Democrat now an independent senator, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan on CNBC, saying Rogers will "do a great job." When questioned about his stance towards Rogers' Democratic opponent, Abdul el Sayed, Manchin stated he is not okay with el Sayed winning the election. Polls have shown both candidates neck and neck recently; earlier polls favored el Sayed but more recent ones show tightening margins. Manchin also endorsed incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine during the same appearance, highlighting his support for moderate Republicans over those he considers extreme.
Written for “Joe Manchin Opposes Candidate” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 9203 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-14
Former Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin threw his support on Monday behind Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers as Rogers vies to be Michigan’s next senator.
asserted
Rogers → throw → Rogers
“I do support Mike Rogers,” Manchin said on CNBC, when pressed on why he had not yet endorsed Rogers.
asserted
he → support → Rogers
“I think Mike Rogers is a good person.
asserted
Rogers → think → ?
I think he’ll do a great job.”
asserted
he → think → job
Manchin, a former Democrat-turned-independent, answered “no” when asked whether he would be okay with Rogers’s opponent, Democrat Abdul el Sayed, winning the general election.
asserted
opponent → turn → election
Rogers and el Sayed are locked in a toss-up U.S. Senate race in Michigan.
asserted
Rogers → lock → Michigan
El Sayed has led Rogers in much of the polling, but recent surveys have shown his edge tightening within marginal differences, with one survey showing Rogers ahead.
asserted
Rogers → lead → differences
Manchin also endorsed incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in her race in Maine during his CNBC appearance.
asserted
Manchin → endorse → appearance
“I support Susan Collins, I’m voting Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski,” referring to the Alaska senator who is not up for reelection this year.
asserted
who → support → reelection
“These are basically independent, free-thinking Republicans.
asserted
These → think → ?
When asked if he believes Rogers has a chance in Michigan, Manchin answered in the affirmative and opined that the GOP candidate should say he is “all for Michigan” and support free trade over tariffs if he wants to win the seat.
asserted
he → ask → seat
In an interview with Fox News over the weekend, Rogers gave a more nuanced answer to his stance on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, saying, “If there’s a tariff that’s working against us, I’m gonna be against it.
asserted
I → give → it
If there is a tariff that’s working for us, I’m going to be for it.”
asserted
I → be → it
The Washington Examiner has reached out to both Rogers’s and el Sayed’s campaigns for comment.
asserted
Examiner → reach → comment
Rogers and el Sayed are facing off to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in the upper chamber.
asserted
Rogers → face → chamber
El Sayed is not himself a member of the Democratic Socialists of America party, but is endorsed by several socialist politicians and commentators.
asserted
Sayed → endorse → politicians
The Wolverine State currently has two Democratic U.S. Senators and a Democratic governor, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), but voted for Trump in both the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections.
asserted
State → have → elections
Rogers, whom Trump has endorsed, lost to Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) in 2024 by less than 20,000 votes.
asserted
Trump → endorse → votes
