(DCNF)—A carless island known for its fudge, horse-drawn carriages and pre-modern charm seems an unlikely spot for a political war to breakout during a campaign for a United States Senate seat in the year 2026.
But that is what happened when footage from a 2020 documentary went viral Friday of presumptive Democratic Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed seemingly ripping Michigan’s Mackinac Island. To those not from the Great Lakes State, that may seem like a silly issue to lose ones marbles over.
To a Michigander, that is the equivalent of a Massachusetts Senate candidate calling Fenway Park trash, or an Egyptian candidate calling the Great Pyramids an abomination. Generations of Michiganders went on family and school trips to the island that is situated near the state’s upper and lower peninsulas in the Straits of Mackinac.
“I hate Mackinac so much. Every time I’ve ever come here, I’ve hated it. Why am I here?” El-Sayed said while attending the influential annual Mackinac Policy Conference. The comments were recorded in a 2020 documentary, “How to Fix a Primary,” that chronicled El-Sayed’s failed 2018 Michigan gubernatorial campaign.
Lest you think Mackinac Island has become only a conservative-driven issue, don’t forget that during the first Trump administration then-Vice President Mike Pence was denounced by a bipartisan swath of Michiganders for riding in a motorcade on the island where cars are outlawed.
Supporters of El-Sayed claimed the clip was taken out of context, and that the Democratic candidate was referring to the Mackinac Policy Conference, not the island itself.
Predictably opponents such as former Michigan Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who will be El-Sayed’s rival for the Senate seat in November, seized on the clip knowing it struck a chord with Michiganders.
Rogers posted pictures of himself on Mackinac Island Friday in which he professed his love for the Michigan tourist staple.
“There’s no place like Mackinac,” Rogers said in the post.
Michigan native Kid Rock joined “Fox and Friends Weekend” Saturday to rip El-Sayed over his anti-Mackinac comments, calling the island “one of the most beautiful places in America.”
El-Sayed responded by adroitly framing the clip as representing a broader economic issue. “Both of these multimillionaires can afford a weekend on Mackinac Island. How about you and your family?” El-Sayed posted on X.
So, does El-Sayed have a point? Yes and no.
He’s right that staying on the island for a weekend would break your bank; a stay at the world-famous Grand Hotel (which was featured in the Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour film “Somewhere In Time”) would set you back over $1,200 for one night during the summer tourist season compared to hotels starting at roughly $228 in nearby St. Ignace, Michigan. And that doesn’t include the cost of the ferry ticket to get to the island, food, gas, carriage tours and other travel-related costs.
El-Sayed’s retort holds water in an election in which affordability is top of voters’ mind.
However, El-Sayed is also over-simplifying his point. As a Michigander, he surely knows that Mackinac Island has always been expensive, but generations of Michiganders have saved to make the trip and most don’t actually stay on the island, they go for the day or they get a cheaper hotel located on the mainland Upper Peninsula or Lower Peninsula.
By attacking Mackinac Island, El-Sayed also is going further than just making this an economic issue, he is attacking a right of passage for those who grew up in the Great Lakes State. The island that has outlawed cars and features a tour of a large 18th-century fort is as American as apple pie.
El-Sayed’s Mackinac attack might appeal to those who despise American colonialism: the British and French raised flags over Fort Michilimackinac before the stars and stripes flew over the island.
This strategy might play with his base in college towns like Ann Arbor, but betting the house on attacking an island beloved by the wider populace is a risky strategy.
The island sits near the five-mile long Mackinac Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere that connects the state’s two peninsulas, and which Michiganders refer to as simply “the bridge.” (Yoopers, as the residents of the Upper Peninsula are known, call residents who live in the Lower Peninsula “trolls,” because they live under the bridge.)
El-Sayed needs working-class, lower-educated voters in the counties of Northern Michigan on both sides of the bridge to turn out for him in November after Democratic Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens won those counties during Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
Rogers narrowly led El-Sayed in the RealClearPolling average last updated before Tuesday’s primary.
There is something about the island that strikes at the core of being a proud Michigander that goes beyond merely class and economic concerns.
No matter who wins, the “gales of November” will come early in the 2026 midterm elections.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.