Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Michigan, has launched a new ad campaign targeting his opponent, Mike Rogers, for his support of government surveillance programs. The campaign, which includes digital videos and billboards, seeks to link Rogers’ historical stance on mass surveillance with current voter anxieties over privacy.

The ads, which feature clips of Rogers praising the Patriot Act, include a 2013 statement by Rogers: 'You can’t have your privacy violated if you don’t know your privacy is violated.' The video also highlights Rogers’ support for bills that would allow emails to be shared with the National Security Agency, though later efforts to end bulk collection of metadata were unsuccessful.

El-Sayed’s strategy is to tie Rogers’ legislative history to contemporary concerns about privacy and technology, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding Flock cameras. While Rogers’ campaign argues that he opposed the use of Flock cameras, the ads aim to draw a clear line between his past support and current voter concerns.

The race remains tight, with El-Sayed’s efforts part of a broader strategy to rebuild the Democratic coalition. This follows a series of attacks on El-Sayed over antisemitic comments, which he has vehemently denied. As the midterms approach, El-Sayed is expected to rally with former president Barack Obama and other progressive allies in Michigan.