Mike Rogers, a former Republican congressman from Michigan, has had a complicated relationship with former President Donald Trump. Back in January 2021, after the Capitol riots, Rogers criticized Trump, blaming his leadership style for the Republicans’ loss in Georgia Senate races and saying Trump’s actions had clearly provoked the attack. He even agreed that Trump held some responsibility for the events of January 6.
However, things have changed significantly as Rogers now campaigns for the Michigan Senate seat against Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin. Despite his past criticism, Rogers has aligned himself with Trump, receiving the former president’s endorsement for his Senate run. This transformation highlights Trump’s lasting influence over the Republican Party and how Republican candidates like Rogers have had to navigate the former president’s polarizing presence to secure voter support. Rogers acknowledges his past comments but has downplayed them, saying that disagreements among party members are common and that even Trump saw him as “tough but fair.”
Rogers’ Senate race against Slotkin is critical for both parties. Michigan is a key battleground, and with Democrats needing to hold onto the seat to maintain control of the Senate, it has drawn significant attention and financial resources. Slotkin, who has her own challenges appealing to Michigan voters, particularly union workers and the state’s large Arab American population, has focused on Rogers’ past voting record and his shift in tone on Trump. She has called out Rogers for his apparent change in position since leaving office in 2014, while Rogers counters that he remains committed to helping Michigan residents and addressing issues like the cost of living, gas prices, and crime.
One of the biggest challenges Slotkin faces is maintaining support from different factions of the Democratic base. While the war in Gaza has led some voters, particularly from Michigan’s sizable Arab American population, to withhold support from Democratic candidates, Republican groups have taken advantage of the situation by targeting these voters. GOP-linked ads have painted Slotkin and other Democrats as staunch supporters of Israel, further complicating the political landscape in Michigan.
Despite these challenges, Slotkin remains focused on her campaign, defending her positions on key issues like vehicle emissions standards and tailpipe regulations, which are central to the GOP’s attacks on her. She stands by her votes but emphasizes her support for Michigan’s auto industry, a critical factor in winning over union workers who may be wary of the Democratic Party’s environmental policies.
The Michigan Senate race is expected to be closely contested, with both sides investing heavily in advertising and outreach in the final weeks of the campaign. Rogers and Slotkin will continue to face scrutiny over their records and their alignment with national party figures like Trump, whose influence over the GOP remains a central issue in the race.
