A former representative who has the support of Donald Trump just won the primary election for GOP Senate candidates in Michigan.
Mike Rogers has more than a decade of legislative experience under his belt as he launches a bid to expand his resume. Come November, there is one seat in the United States Senate that will be open for a Michigan lawmaker to fill. Rogers took one step closer on Tuesday, August 6, when he beat former Rep. Justin Amash in the GOP primary.
From 2001-2015, Rogers served as a United States Representative, heading up the House Intelligence Committee. His opponent in the primary election—who leaned more liberal on the scale—was a member of Congress between 2011 and 2021. Amash then abandoned the Republican party in 2019, upset about the reality of a two-party system.
Additionally, the former GOP lawmaker has been publicly critical of former president Trump, setting him apart from most of his fellow legislators on the right. Rogers, on the other hand, supports the GOP presidential nominee and enjoys his support in return.
In March, Trump posted a public endorsement of Rogers, describing him as a candidate who will serve as a “great and powerful Senator.” He added his confidence that the Michigan lawmaker “will tirelessly fight” in key areas that Republicans have homed in on, including border security, economic growth, Second Amendment rights, and support for the military and veterans.
Rogers first entered the Senate race in September 2023, taking up the challenge to claim a seat that has been held by Democrats for more than 20 years. In a campaign video released at the time, the candidate noted that he is “ready to serve again” after his 14-year stint as a Representative because “something’s broken.”
Originally, Rogers was up against additional candidates in the primary. These included former Rep. Peter Meijer, who suspended his campaign in April, and businessman Sandy Pensler, who more recently rescinded his bid and endorsed Rogers instead.
The Democratic primary will be held next week, determining who will compete against Rogers on the ballot in November.
