Gary Peters (DEM, incumbent), Abdul El-Sayed (DEM), Bernadette Smith (REP), Frederick Heurtebise (REP), Genevieve Scott (REP), Haley Stevens (DEM), Joseph Allen Tate (DEM), Mallory McMorrow (DEM), Mike Rogers (REP), Rachel Elizabeth Howard (DEM).
108 ads analyzed, 54 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing.
Findings
As of 2026-09-23. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.
Ads analyzed
108 (Meta 74, YouTube 34) · started running between 2026-07-10 and 2026-09-22
With at least one technique
54 of 108 (50%)
Most common techniques
Loaded Language · 43 adsAppeal to Prejudice · 33 adsName Calling · 30 ads
Meta
34 of 74 (46%) flagged · Loaded Language (25), Appeal to Prejudice (19), Name Calling (15)
YouTube
20 of 34 (59%) flagged · Loaded Language (18), Name Calling (15), Appeal to Prejudice (14)
Reported Meta spend
$143,200–209,435 on all ads, $97,800–138,494 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“billionaire-funded super PACs” — Loaded Language, paid for by Abdul for U.S. Senate
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
Money in this race
From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named.
Gary Peters (DEM, incumbent)
Raised
$248K through 2026-06-30individuals $19K · PACs $9,500 · from the candidate's other committees $6,170 · cash on hand $6.5M
SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND— $7,352 opposing PetersGIVEGREEN UNITED ACTION— $100 supporting PetersLargest donors: NRDC ACTION FUND INC. $917K (52%); LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS, INC. $840K (48%)
UNITED DEMOCRACY PROJECT ('UDP')— $20.1M opposing El-SayedLargest donors: AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE $30.0M (29%); SINGER, PAUL $2.6M (2%); SABAN, HAIM $2.0M (2%); MANZANITA ACTION FUND $1.6M (2%); ROWAN, MARC $1.5M (1%)SLF PAC— $17.7M opposing El-Sayed
· 6 ads on this pageLargest donors: ONE NATION $70.7M (28%); ADELSON, MIRIAM $30.0M (12%); SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN A. $17.0M (7%); SINGER, PAUL ELLIOTT $14.5M (6%); MUSK, ELON $10.0M (4%)NO GOING BACK PAC INC.— $8.1M opposing El-SayedAMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION) DBA CVA ACTION AND DBA LIBRE ACTION— $2.9M opposing El-SayedLargest donors: KOCH INC $30.0M (33%); STAND TOGETHER INC. $20.0M (22%); WALTON, JIM C. $7.0M (8%); WALTON, S ROBSON $7.0M (8%); STAND TOGETHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC $6.5M (7%)FIGHTING FOR MICHIGAN PAC— $1.9M supporting El-Sayed
· 4 ads on this pageLargest donors: INSTITUTE FOR MIDDLE EAST UNDERSTANDING, INC. $400K (10%); TAYEB, JUKAKU $300K (8%); UAW - V - CAP (UAW VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM) 'INT'L UNION UNITED AUTOMOBILE AEROSPACE & AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA UAW $300K (8%); AHMED, MANSOOR $250K (7%); FORWARD BLUE $250K (7%)and 34 more
$11.4M through 2026-07-15individuals $11.1M · PACs $64K · candidate's own money, incl. loans $84 · from the candidate's other committees $17K · cash on hand $1.9M
GLCF, INC.— $10.5M supporting RogersLargest donors: DUNN, TIMOTHY M $5.0M (64%); SINGER, PAUL $500K (6%); TEAM ROGERS $332K (4%); PENSKE, ROGER $250K (3%); PENSKE CORPORATION $250K (3%)AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION) DBA CVA ACTION AND DBA LIBRE ACTION— $9.4M supporting RogersLargest donors: KOCH INC $30.0M (33%); STAND TOGETHER INC. $20.0M (22%); WALTON, JIM C. $7.0M (8%); WALTON, S ROBSON $7.0M (8%); STAND TOGETHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC $6.5M (7%)WINSENATE— $6.7M opposing Rogers
· 2 ads on this pageLargest donors: SMP $4.1M (100%)DEFEND THE VOTE— $4.6M opposing RogersLargest donors: AUGUSTINE, TED $1.1M (73%); DEFEND THE VOTE ACTION FUND $193K (13%); DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT $143K (10%)THE SENTINEL ACTION FUND— $2.6M supporting RogersLargest donors: RESTORATION OF AMERICA PAC $3.0M (18%); LEXINGTON FUND $1.5M (9%); TOWNSEND SIX CORP. $1.2M (8%); RIGHT VOTE INC. $1.0M (6%); SINGER, PAUL $750K (5%)and 18 more
Showing the 4 ads paid for by FIGHTING FOR MICHIGAN PAC. Show all 108 ads
Paid for by FIGHTING FOR MICHIGAN PACfrom 2026-07-28 to 2026-08-053 variantsspend $8,000–9,197254,100–305,997 impressions
Most of the Senate doesn't fight for people like us.
Abdul El-Sayed will. He’ll fight for Medicare for All, get money out of politics, put money back in your pocket, and be one of the strongest voices taking on Donald Trump.
That’s exactly why AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions to stop him.
It’s time to vote. Their money doesn't decide this race — you do.
Vote Abdul for U.S. Senate. Make your plan to vote early by August 2nd or in person on Election Day, August 4th.
Most of the Senate doesn't fight for people like us.
Abdul El-Sayed will. He’ll fight for Medicare for All, get money out of politics, put money back in your pocket, and be one of the strongest voices taking on Donald Trump.
That’s exactly why AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions to stop him.
It’s time to vote. Their money doesn't decide this race — you do.
Vote Abdul for U.S. Senate. Make your plan to vote early by August 2nd or in person on Election Day, August 4th.
Flag-WavingSlogansGlittering Generalities25.0% of sentences flagged
Flag-Waving: Patriotic, religious, or in-group identity invoked to validate a position.
Slogans: Catchy phrase used to compress a complex position into an emotionally loaded shorthand.
Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive promises are made without specific policy detail or substance — for example: 'get money out of politics, put money back in your pocket'
Claims checked
“AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions to stop him.” Checked as: AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions against Abdul El-Sayed.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Paid for by FIGHTING FOR MICHIGAN PACfrom 2026-07-28 to 2026-08-032 variantsspend $7,000–8,098351,000–401,998 impressions
This race comes down to one question: Who will fight for us?
Abdul El-Sayed is running to get money out of politics, put money back in your pocket, fight for Medicare for All, and take on Donald Trump.
Bernie Sanders, AOC, and the UAW are with Abdul. AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions against him.
Take back your power and cast your ballot early by August 2nd or in-person on Election Day, August 4th.
This race comes down to one question: Who will fight for us?
Abdul El-Sayed is running to get money out of politics, put money back in your pocket, fight for Medicare for All, and take on Donald Trump.
Bernie Sanders, AOC, and the UAW are with Abdul. AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions against him.
Take back your power and cast your ballot early by August 2nd or in-person on Election Day, August 4th.
Black-and-White FallacyAppeal to PrejudiceTransferName Calling60.0% of sentences flagged
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence reduces a complex electoral race to a single binary question, implying there is only one relevant consideration and forcing a simplistic frame — for example: 'This race comes down to one question'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'fight for us' invokes in-group identity, implying a clear 'us' versus an implied 'them' who would not fight for the group — for example: 'Who will fight for us'
Transfer: Borrows legitimacy from well-known progressive figures and a major labor union to validate Abdul's candidacy — for example: associating with Sanders and UAW implies grassroots and labor credibility
Name Calling: Uses derogatory or politically charged labels to discredit Abdul's opponents rather than addressing their arguments — for example: 'corporate billionaires' and 'Trump donors' are used as pejorative identifiers
Claims checked
“AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions against him.” Checked as: AIPAC, corporate billionaires, and Trump donors are spending millions against El-Sayed (the "him" in context).Supported by apnews.comsource ↗Fact-checker citedConfidence: high
Verdict right?
“Bernie Sanders, AOC, and the UAW are with Abdul.” Checked as: Bernie Sanders, AOC, and the UAW are endorsing or supporting a person named Abdul.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“cast your ballot early by August 2nd or in-person on Election Day, August 4th.” Checked as: Early voting is available before August 2nd, and Election Day (in-person voting) is August 4th.No authoritative evidence foundabsence_is_not_context
Verdict right?
Paid for by FIGHTING FOR MICHIGAN PACfrom 2026-07-28 to 2026-08-053 variantsspend $11,600–17,197665,000–775,997 impressions
Money OUT of politics. Money in YOUR pocket. Medicare for ALL.
That’s what Abdul El-Sayed will fight for as Michigan’s next Senator — and exactly why AIPAC, Trump donors, and the political establishment are spending millions trying to stop him.
Now it’s your turn to stand up, fight back, and VOTE.
Vote Abdul for U.S. Senate. Make your plan to vote early by August 2nd or in person on Election Day, August 4th.
Money OUT of politics. Money in YOUR pocket. Medicare for ALL.
That’s what Abdul El-Sayed will fight for as Michigan’s next Senator — and exactly why AIPAC, Trump donors, and the political establishment are spending millions trying to stop him.
Now it’s your turn to stand up, fight back, and VOTE.
Vote Abdul for U.S. Senate. Make your plan to vote early by August 2nd or in person on Election Day, August 4th.
Glittering GeneralitiesAppeal to PrejudiceConspiracy AppealFalse UrgencyLoaded Language71.4% of sentences flagged
Glittering Generalities: A vague, emotionally resonant slogan invoking the noble idea of removing corrupting money from politics without any specific policy detail — for example: Money OUT of politics and Medicare for ALL.
Appeal to Prejudice: Uses 'YOUR' to create a direct in-group appeal, implying the listener is one of the ordinary people who deserve the money currently held by elites or special interests — for example: 'Money in YOUR pocket'
Conspiracy Appeal: The sentence implies a coordinated, sinister effort by powerful shadowy actors to suppress a candidate, suggesting hidden coordination against him — for example: AIPAC, Trump donors, and the political establishment are spending millions trying to stop him
False Urgency: The phrase 'Now it's your turn' creates an immediate time pressure implying the moment to act is right now, pushing the reader to act without deliberation — for example: 'Now it's your turn'
Loaded Language: The phrase 'political establishment' carries strong negative emotional connotations designed to trigger resentment rather than convey neutral factual information — for example: the political establishment
Claims checked
“AIPAC, Trump donors, and the political establishment are spending millions trying to stop him” Checked as: AIPAC, Trump donors, and the political establishment spent millions trying to stop Abdul El-SayedNo authoritative evidence foundabsence_is_not_context
Verdict right?
Paid for by FIGHTING FOR MICHIGAN PACfrom 2026-07-27 to 2026-08-033 variantsspend $4,000–5,097500,000–599,997 impressions
Medicare for All. Abolish ICE. No corporate money in politics.
While Haley Stevens is courting MAGA world support, that’s what Abdul El-Sayed stands for.
Vote Abdul for U.S. Senate by August 4th.
no techniques found
Claims checked
“Haley Stevens is courting MAGA world support” No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“that’s what Abdul El-Sayed stands for” Checked as: Abdul El-Sayed stands for a specific position or set of positions (implied by "that's what Abdul El-Sayed stands for")No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it comes from a national Senate group and ran mostly in MI; or it ran mostly in MI and names a candidate — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
A technique is a specific manipulative move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. The check runs once and its result is shown to everyone afterwards. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.
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