This combination photo shows former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Rep. Elissa slotkin, D-Mich. in Detroit on Aug. 6, 2020.
ROCHESTER, MI (AP) – As canvassers of U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Rogers navigate the manicured grass and gated communities in some of Detroit’s richest suburbs, they tread a fine line as they try to convince Republicans who are disillusioned by Donald Trump to support other GOP candidates next week.
Oakland County, located just north of Detroit and home to Michigan’s largest Republican constituency, is a perfect example of Michigan’s recent shift towards Democrats. Recent elections have been won by Democrats, and Rogers’ ability to win back voters in a county that was once dominated primarily by traditional country club Republicans may be the key to his success in Michigan.
Rogers stated in a recent article that “we created a large ground game, which I would argue is the best in the country at the moment.” “And we’re firing on all cylinders.”
The race for Michigan’s vacant seat could be pivotal, as control of the Senate is at stake. Democrats maintain a narrow majority in the Senate, but they are defending more seats than Republicans in this year’s election.
Tuesday, Rogers and his Democratic rival, Rep. Elissa slotkin, will meet for their first debate. Both candidates did not participate in debates before the party primaries. This is the first chance for voters to compare their radically different policy views.
The Republicans are increasingly confident that Rogers can flip a seat previously held by Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow for more than two decades. Stabenow is retiring after her fourth term. Slotkin, a rising star of the Democratic Party with a proven track record and a strong fundraising advantage, stands in their way.
Gary Peters, Michigan Senator and chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said: “I see Michigan and our races across the country exactly as I predicted them last year.” “These are going be very close races.”
Slotkin entered the Senate race soon after Stabenow announced her retirement, clearing the Democratic primary field. She also built a campaign war chest which dwarfed any potential Republican opponents. According to her campaign, she had raised $42 millions by the end of September.
Rogers and Republicans are hustling hard to catch up. He entered the race six months after the election and had to navigate a state GOP that was divided by internal strife, between grassroots activists who were fired up by Trump’s brand of conservative populism, and the old guard.
Rogers had to also contend with a crowded Republican field that included two former congressmen. Rogers was a clear frontrunner after Trump’s March endorsement. Many of his rivals dropped out as a result.
The race could be decided by Rogers’ ability to hold together the fractured GOP coalition.
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Rogers’ campaign reported that he had raised $5 million by mid-July. Slotkin has had the opportunity to define her candidacy, but Rogers has not. She had already started airing ads to highlight her background in May.
The outcome of the Senate race may ultimately depend on how presidential candidates perform in Michigan. Slotkin and other Democrats have expressed concern about the standing of Vice President Kamala in Michigan, a state that is considered vital to the presidential race.
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