Mike Rogers receives Donald Trump endorsement in Michigan Senate race

The Michigan U.S. Senate race has intensified as Republican nominee Mike Rogers received a formal endorsement from Donald Trump. Trump described Rogers, a former FBI special agent and Army veteran, as a “proud defender of our country” who would support tax cuts and the Michigan auto industry.

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed responded to the endorsement by labeling Rogers a “sock puppet” of the president. During a campaign event in Saginaw, El-Sayed accused Rogers of being a tool for corporations and Donald Trump, suggesting that Rogers supports policies he knows are harmful, such as trade disputes with Canada.

Rogers is attempting a dual-track strategy to win the open seat left by retiring Senator Gary Peters. He is working to appeal to Democratic-leaning voters, including Black and Jewish communities in Detroit, by focusing on issues like literacy and urban housing. Simultaneously, his campaign aims to mobilize Trump loyalists. The race is considered a critical focal point in the broader battle for control of the U.S. Senate.

In support of the Democratic campaign, former Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Michigan to campaign alongside El-Sayed, with a focus on Black maternal health.