El-Sayed Says Sports Bodies Should Decide Trans Athletes

The Michigan Democratic Senate candidate said the transgender athlete question belongs to sports governing bodies, not lawmakers.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Track & Field

El-Sayed Says Sports Bodies Should Decide Trans Athletes

Live Poll

Do you think social issues like transgender sports debates distract from everyday costs and health care?

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed told 60 Minutes that the issue of transgender athletes should be left to the people who run sports. He faces Trump-endorsed former House Intelligence Committee chairman Rogers in Michigan's open Senate race.

Why it matters

The remarks came in a closely watched Michigan Senate contest ahead of Tuesday's election. El-Sayed argued that culture-war debates distract voters from affordability and health care.

No hard athletic or analytic data was provided in the extraction. The segment was recorded Oct. 22 at Wayne State University and aired Sunday night.

The players

Abdul El-Sayed

A physician and former Detroit health director running as the Democratic candidate for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat.

Mike Rogers

The Trump-endorsed former House Intelligence Committee chairman who is El-Sayed's Republican opponent in the Michigan Senate race.

The details

Ross Douthat asked El-Sayed about transgender athletes during an extended 60 Minutes interview recorded Oct. 22 at Wayne State University in Detroit. El-Sayed said the issue should be left to the people who run sports, and said culture-war issues distract from affordability and health care.

Oct. 22: Extended interview recorded at Wayne State University in Detroit.
Sunday night: 60 Minutes segment with El-Sayed and Rogers aired.
Tuesday: Michigan midterm election.

The Big Picture

Michigan's open Senate seat is among the most closely watched contests in the midterms, with El-Sayed and Rogers competing for the seat in the final days before Tuesday's vote. The interview shows the candidates debating whether social questions or economic issues should define the race.

The debate could shape how Michigan voters weigh social policy against affordability and health care when they cast ballots Tuesday. Candidates' positions on sports eligibility may draw attention from voters who follow the issue closely.

The takeaway

Voters weighing this race are being asked to decide whether social questions or pocketbook issues should carry more weight. How candidates answer on sports policy can signal where they place their priorities.