Michigan Armenian Americans mobilize ahead of 2026 U.S. Senate election
Michigan Armenian Americans engage in the Senate race through community events, grassroots organizing and youth civic participation
DETROIT — With Michigan’s Nov. 3 U.S. Senate election approaching, Armenian Americans across the state are participating in the political process through engagement with Republican candidate Mike Rogers and Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, grassroots organizing and youth civic education, underscoring the community’s commitment to keeping Armenian American priorities at the forefront of public discourse.
Community engagement across Michigan’s Senate race
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers recently attended the annual St. John Armenian Church Bazaar in Southfield, Michigan, where he met with parishioners and members of the Armenian American community.
A longstanding tradition celebrating Armenian heritage and supporting local community institutions, the bazaar provided an opportunity for direct dialogue between Rogers and Armenian American constituents on issues affecting Michigan and the broader Armenian American community. The visit underscored the role of community institutions in fostering relationships with candidates and elected officials.
“I often hear people say our votes don’t count for much. That saddens me. I met the Michigan senatorial candidate Mike Rogers at St. John’s bazaar. It brought joy to my heart. The Detroit metro area Armenian population is not really huge, but that didn’t stop the candidate from making an appearance at one of our community events. That tells me that every vote does count. I heard his main opponent in this race has also made efforts to garner the support of the Armenian community. I’m optimistic,” said Sebouh Sarkissian.
Armenian American participation in the Senate race has similarly taken shape through grassroots political organizing. On Oct. 22, Michigan Armenian American community member Hayg Oshagan was among the organizers of a Labor and Student Rally at Wayne State University in Detroit associated with Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate campaign.
The rally, which drew approximately 1,500 attendees, convened students, labor supporters and community members around issues affecting Michigan residents. Oshagan’s organizing role reflects Armenian American participation in statewide political initiatives and coalition-building beyond the community’s traditional institutions.
“We need to have allies in the U.S. Senate, House and the Michigan Legislature. Through this event and other ANC Michigan outreach, we are creating political connections that will help us nationally and in Michigan,” Oshagan said.
These activities represent distinct avenues of civic participation, bringing Armenian Americans into direct contact with candidates while contributing to broader political organizing across Michigan.
Preparing the next generation for civic participation
Armenian American civic participation encompasses educational opportunities for younger generations, reinforcing the importance of informed engagement in the democratic process.
On Oct. 20, seniors from the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School attended the Detroit Economic Club’s U.S. Senate candidate forum at the Detroit Masonic Temple, a separate event featuring Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed. The candidates appeared individually, presenting their respective positions.
The forum provided students with firsthand exposure to the electoral process, connecting classroom instruction with the public policy decisions shaping their communities at home and abroad as they prepare to assume greater civic responsibilities.
“As an upcoming voter, the event was very informative in the sense that I got to see how the politicians think firsthand and understand their policies. Also, meeting them both face-to-face gave me a sense of hope to see our future as a state and country as a whole,” stated Tro Hamakorzian, one of the attending students.
Their attendance reflects the commitment of Armenian American educational institutions to cultivating civic awareness and preparing future generations for informed participation in public life.
Sustaining Armenian American advocacy beyond Election Day
For Michigan’s Armenian American community, the U.S. Senate race presents an important opportunity to engage candidates on longstanding advocacy priorities concerning U.S. foreign policy toward Armenia and Artsakh.
Among the community’s longstanding priorities are securing the release of Armenian prisoners of war and political hostages held by Azerbaijan, advancing the right of return for Artsakh’s forcibly displaced Armenian population and ending U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan.
These concerns carry particular significance following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military offensive, which Armenian American advocates have characterized as genocidal ethnic cleansing and which resulted in the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population. For Armenian Americans with familial, cultural and historical ties to the region, these issues underscore the importance of continued dialogue with candidates and federal policymakers.
As Election Day approaches, Michigan Armenian Americans’ participation in community events, grassroots organizing and civic education reflects a commitment to political engagement that extends beyond the electoral cycle, strengthening relationships with public officials and ensuring that Armenian American priorities remain part of the national policy conversation.
