Mike Rogers Enters Michigan Senate Race, Eyeing GOP Advantage
In a significant political development, Mike Rogers, a former U.S. House representative and state senator, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. This announcement follows the decision by Michigan Senator Gary Peters not to seek re-election in 2026, opening a potentially competitive seat in a closely divided Senate.
Rogers, a Republican with roots in Livingston County, aims to seize this opportunity to shift the seat’s allegiance to the GOP. Currently, the Republican Party holds a narrow majority in the Senate, underscoring the importance of this race. In his announcement video, Rogers outlined his commitment to bolstering skilled trades, reducing government expenditures, and decreasing the costs of essentials such as gasoline, groceries, and prescription medications.
Rogers stated, “Alongside President Trump, I’ll fight to bring good, high-paying manufacturing jobs back to Michigan, and I guarantee we’ll protect Social Security for our seniors.”
With a background that includes military service and time as an FBI special agent, Rogers transitioned into politics where he served as a state senator from 1995 to 2000. He then represented Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2015 before moving into media as a host for CNN’s “Declassified” series and a national security commentator. Reflecting on his varied career, Rogers remarked, “The lessons I learned working on a factory floor, serving as an officer in the United States Army, and then as a federal agent protecting our communities, taking down drug dealers and gangsters, taught me about grit and sacrifice. But I knew I could do more for Michigan.”
Previously, Rogers ran for a 2024 U.S. Senate seat after Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI 8) retirement but narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. Now, as the second candidate to declare for Peters’ open seat, he joins Democratic state senator Mallory McMorrow, who announced her candidacy on April 2.
Rogers currently stands as the sole Republican in the race, though more GOP contenders are anticipated. Speculation suggests U.S. representative Bill Huizenga and Tudor Dixon, who faced defeat in the 2022 Michigan governor race against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, might also enter the contest.
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