WHAT POLLS SAY

Speaking of the U.S. Senate contest, count us among the skeptics when it comes to polling, especially nine months ahead of the August 2026 vote and when one third of those participating are still undecided as they were in a recent Mitchell Research and Communications mid-November effort to see where possible voters are leaning on a number of issues and races, including the Senate contest. Not to dis Steve Mitchell, polls by others taken in July and last spring also had major percentages of undecideds, plus we’re not necessarily enamored with online polling as opposed to pollsters actually talking to participants, preferably on cell phones. Be that as it is, here’s the skinny. If the primary vote were held today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens would take 27 percent of the vote; state Senator Mallory McMorrow, 24 percent; and Abdul El-Sayed, physician, professor and former Wayne County Health Director, 16 percent. If the 2026 general election were held today, Republican Mike Rogers would take any of the three Democratic contenders. If it was a runoff with Stevens, Rogers would take 42 percent and Stevens 40 percent, with 18 percent of those polled as unsure at this point. In a McMorrow race, Rogers would take 44 percent and Mallory the state Senator would take 38 percent, with 19 percent of those participating saying they were unsure. Against El-Sayed, Rogers would take 41 percent to Abdul’s 38 percent, with 22 undecided. What’s it all mean? Once again, not much, despite the spin any of the Democrats try to put on these poll results as they have been with prior polling. It’s all BS for the most part until we hit next March. That is when the rubber hits the road, the number of undecideds starts to shrink and polls present a more valid picture. So hang on.