WASHINGTON — Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers attacked his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, as a “con man” over his use of the title “doctor,” arguing that El-Sayed has never held a medical license.
Rogers said El-Sayed’s description of himself as a doctor could lead voters to believe he has practiced medicine, even though his only reported clinical experience came during an internship.
“Well, he’s not really a doctor. He says he’s a physician,” Rogers said. “[As a] matter of fact, if somebody came into his office and he tried to treat that patient, he’d go to jail.”
“Listen to this guy and what he’s trying to sell here today,” the Republican candidate continued. “You’re going to find out that this guy is not what he says he is. He is actually selling the best con I think I’ve ever seen.”
El-Sayed has repeatedly noted that he earned a medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. The former public health official also studied at the University of Michigan Medical School.
According to Politico, the only documented hands-on patient-care experience in his background was a four-week internship at a Manhattan hospital.
Even so, El-Sayed introduced himself as a doctor during the debate while making his case to voters.
“Look, I’m a doctor and I’m a dad,” El-Sayed said. “And as a dad, I know how much it costs me to fill up my gas tank. It is insane.”
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The Michigan Democrat has frequently cited his medical background while discussing health care policy. His previous positions include professor of epidemiology at Columbia, executive director of the Detroit Health Department and director of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services.
Questions about El-Sayed’s use of the title doctor first surfaced during the Democratic primary. His LinkedIn profile currently identifies him as a “physician” and an “epidemiologist,” although it remains unclear why he believes he can use the physician designation without a medical license.
On one of his podcast episodes, El-Sayed told listeners, “I’ve been a doctor my whole career.” Earlier this year, he also told a group of nurses that he had “been in enough codes to watch who really does the work.”
El-Sayed has repeatedly dismissed accusations that he is overstating his medical credentials.
“Look, I have a medical degree from Columbia University,” El-Sayed said during the debate. “He can take it up with them. But it’s not really about me. It’s about whether or not you can see your doctor. It’s about whether or not you trust your next US senator to stand up to Trump and Trumpism.”
A key element of El-Sayed’s campaign is his support for a “Medicare for All” single-payer health care system. He has repeatedly pointed to his medical degree in making the case for the proposal. Rogers called the plan costly and said it would strip Michiganders of their private insurance, a claim El-Sayed rejected.
Thursday’s event was the first debate between Rogers and El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race. The exchange quickly turned hostile, as both candidates packed their responses to the moderator’s questions with personal attacks.
The Senate contest has consistently been viewed as competitive. The latest RealClearPolitics polling average gives El-Sayed a 3.2-percentage-point advantage over Rogers.