Trump endorses Rogers for Senate in Michigan
Published in Political News
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat ― the day after another potential contender for the GOP nomination bowed out.
"From the U.S. Army to Congress, Mike has served our Nation with distinction, and will bring that same Fighting Spirit to the U.S. Senate," Trump wrote in a post on social media.
"Mike Rogers has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!"
Rogers of White Lake Township also had Trump's backing when he ran for Senate last year and lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin of Holly by about 19,000 votes.
Trump's endorsement was anticipated following the announcement Wednesday by west Michigan U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga that he wouldn't launch a Senate bid after months of suggesting he would.
Huizenga's decision followed a meeting that he had Friday with Trump at the White House when Trump asked him not to run. The White House and other GOP leaders in Washington have been leaning on GOP lawmakers in competitive seats not to seek higher office as they aim to retain their razor-thin House majority.
The move largely cleared the GOP field of major competitors for Rogers, who has consolidated support from several top Senate Republican leaders in Washington, including Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the Senate Republicans' campaign arm.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a super political action committee affiliated with Thune, on Thursday retweeted Trump's endorsement message: "President Trump and Leader John Thune stand with Michigan's next U.S. Senator, Mike Rogers!"
Rogers, 62, is a former FBI agent and seven-term congressman who chaired the House intelligence committee, leaving Congress in 2015. He could have an advantage in not having to spend money to fend off a primary challenger, as multiple Democrats compete in a crowded contest.
Michigan will have a U.S. Senate seat open in 2026 after U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, decided not to seek another term.
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