Former President Donald Trump threw his political weight into the Michigan Senate race, endorsing ex-Rep. Mike Rogers for the GOP nomination. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump praised Rogers for his service, from his Army days to his time in Congress, lauding him as a leader who "KNOWS HOW TO WIN," as reported by CBS News Detroit.
Despite having previously criticized Trump, Rogers is now getting the nod from the former commander-in-chief, which could be pivotal in a primary crowded with Trump skeptics like former Reps. Peter Meijer and Justin Amash, as well as businessman Sandy Pensler. Trump's backing is seen as a significant boon, despite the endorsements sometimes creating a backlash, as seen by the vocal criticism from Senator Rand Paul on X, who slammed Rogers, amazed as a "never Trumper," according to The Detroit News.
Rogers, who served in the House for 14 years and chaired the Intelligence Committee, has already rallied substantial GOP support, evidenced by his dominant fundraising. His campaign got an additional boost from former Detroit Police Chief James Craig's endorsement after Craig suspended his campaign. Trump's endorsement of Truth Social praised Rogers's commitment to America First policies, fighting to "Secure the Border, Stop Inflation, Grow the Economy, Strengthen our Military / Veteran Support, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment," as per information from Detroit Free Press.
The endorsement could also consolidate Republican voters and perhaps deter the crowded field, with candidates like Meijer and Amash already in the fray. Rogers closely aligns with traditional GOP values and has strong institutional support. However, Michigan's Democratic Party chair, Lavora Barnes, criticized Rogers for being out of touch with Michigan, a sentiment echoed in a release insisting the state "deserves better."
Trump's endorsement strategy has varied over the years, coming at different times within the election cycle, with some late endorsements like Tudor Dixon's gubernatorial campaign and John James's Senate race. Rogers, on the other hand, received the endorsement well ahead of the primary, potentially affecting the dynamics significantly," said Kyle Kondik, from the University of Virginia Center for Politics, in a statement obtained by The Detroit News. Democrats are bracing for a battle with U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin being the frontrunner for their party's nomination.
