Michigan Senate Race Heats Up as Mike Rogers Seeks Republican Revival

ROCHESTER, Mich. (AP) — As canvassers for U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers navigate the manicured lawns and gated communities of some of Detroit’s wealthiest suburbs, they attempt to persuade Republicans disillusioned with former President Donald Trump to support other GOP candidates in the upcoming elections. Nowhere in Michigan signifies the state’s recent shift towards Democrats more than Oakland County, north of Detroit, once home to the state’s largest Republican base. Democrats have historically won decisively in Oakland, and regaining control in this area is crucial for Rogers’ prospects to achieve what no Republican has managed in over three decades: winning a U.S. Senate race in Michigan.

“We created a large, probably the best ground game, I would argue, in the country right now,” Rogers stated in a recent interview. “We are firing on all cylinders.” With control of the Senate on the line, the race for Michigan’s open Senate seat could prove pivotal. Democrats currently maintain a narrow margin in the Senate, underscoring the importance of this year’s elections.

Rogers and his Democratic opponent, Representative Elissa Slotkin, are set to meet for their first debate on Tuesday. This marks the first opportunity for voters to compare their vastly different policy positions, as neither participated in debates during party primaries.

Republicans express growing confidence that Rogers, who served in the U.S. House from 2001 to 2015, can win the seat held for over two decades by Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring. Slotkin, perceived as a rising star in the Democratic Party, enjoys a fundraising advantage and has a solid track record in a competitive House district.

“Where I see Michigan, as well as our races around the country, is exactly as I would have predicted them last year,” said Michigan Senator Gary Peters, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “These are going to come down to very close races.” Slotkin entered the race shortly after Stabenow’s announcement, effectively clearing the Democratic primary field and amassing a campaign war chest that dwarfed her possible Republican opponents.

By the end of September, Slotkin had raised $42 million, according to her campaign. Meanwhile, Rogers, supported by national GOP fundraising groups, has been striving to bridge the funding gap. However, Rogers began his campaign later, after confronting internal strife within the Michigan GOP and a crowded Republican primary field. Trump’s endorsement in March united the party, aiding Rogers to secure the GOP nomination in August.

Slotkin’s campaign emphasizes reproductive rights, especially in Oakland County where a 2022 ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights succeeded by a significant margin. In contrast, Rogers deems the issue resolved following the vote, stating he would not back a federal ban.

The outcome could hinge on how presidential candidates perform in Michigan. Republicans see a potential advantage. “Michigan will be a state where our outcome in the Michigan Senate race will likely correlate with President Trump’s performance in Michigan,” said Montana Senator Steve Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, during a press event in Las Vegas.

Slotkin, representing a mid-Michigan district previously considered highly competitive, won reelection by more than five percentage points. Her campaign strategy involves engaging voters across the political spectrum, a tactic she continues in her Senate race.

As election day approaches, both campaigns intensify efforts in Oakland County, a historically significant region for Michigan politics, reflecting broader national trends amid a deeply polarized electoral atmosphere.