Democrat Elisa Slotkin Maintains her Lead in Michigan's Senate Race After the Debate

Democratic Rep. Elisa Slotkin has mostly maintained her lead over Republican Mike Rogers ahead of the Michigan Senate elections.

The latest poll shows her ahead by five percentage points with less than a month before voters head to the polls and after the debate between the two.

Conducted by Emerson College and Nexstar between October 5 and 8 among 950 likely voters, the survey shows Slotkin with 49% of the support compared to Rogers' 44%.

Most studies published throughout late September and October show the Democrat ahead by mid-single digits, but two have them tied. The latest is from October 3 to 7, conducted by Quinnipiac University among 1,007 likely voters, and it shows them tied at 48%.

Both candidates faced one of their best two best chances at swaying voters to their side at a debate on Tuesday. There, they crossed accusations of lying and misrepresenting their records.

During a passage of the debate, Rogers made reference to Slotkin's background as a CIA analyst, saying he was "not even sure she could pass the polygraph test for the CIA anymore."

Slotkin, in turn, lashed back after a contentious exchange regarding China: "It's just sad that a guy who considers himself a national security guy can't see that we need to work together on this issue, not lie repeatedly." "Let's get to work, man," she said.

The Democrat also made reference to her record, seeking to illustrate her willingness to reach out across the aisle: "I was voted the 14th most bipartisan member of Congress," she recalled.

Rogers, on his end, said he will "look for every opportunity to be bipartisan" and questioned his opponent's record, saying she has "voted 100% with the Biden-Harris agenda." Abortion, Medicare and Social Security were other topics of contention. The two will face off again before the November elections.

Overall, Real Clear Politics' average has her up by five percentage points, 48% to 43%. But the Cook Political Report labels the race as a "toss up."

Slotkin has raised $18 million in the past quarter, her campaign said this week, taking the total amount to $42 million. She has raised more money than any Senate candidate in state history, her campaign said.