Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers is making an explicit appeal to Democrats dissatisfied with their party’s nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. With polling pointing to a competitive general election, Rogers has launched a “Democrats for Mike Rogers” coalition aimed at voters concerned about El-Sayed’s progressive policies, criticism of Israel, and other past positions.
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From Fox News:
“To Democrat voters who feel their nominee doesn’t represent them and their values, all hope is not lost. I’m not asking you to be a Republican. I’m asking you for the opportunity to earn your trust… our door is open,” Rogers said as he referred to Democratic voters uncomfortable with some of El-Sayed’s controversial past comments and far-left policy positions.
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“We definitely think it’s an opening. This is going to be a tight race. It’s Michigan,” Rogers said in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview following the campaign event. “We’re going to take advantage of the fact that people are pausing to think if he [El-Sayed] represents their values.”
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“I’m a lifelong Democrat. I voted for Obama. I voted for Hillary. I voted for Biden. I voted for Slotkin. I heavily supported Haley Stevens throughout her race and now I’m voting for Mike Rogers because sometimes the election calls for us to look at something bigger than our party lines,” Chelsea explained.
Rogers unveiled the new coalition Thursday in Detroit following a closely contested Democratic primary in which El-Sayed narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens. Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent, is making his second consecutive bid for the Senate after narrowly losing his 2024 race.
Recent polling suggests Michigan could once again host one of the nation’s closest Senate contests. An AARP survey showed the candidates within the margin of error, while a Fox News poll conducted Aug. 6-10 gave Rogers a four-point advantage. The Fox poll also pointed to a potential vulnerability for El-Sayed: while 98% of respondents identifying with the Democratic Socialists of America supported him, his support fell to 69% among Democrats and independents who did not identify with the DSA.
Some of the Democratic discontent highlighted at Rogers’ event centered on Israel and antisemitism. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who acknowledged disagreements with some Trump administration policies, said he nevertheless intends to support Rogers and believes other traditionally Democratic Jewish voters may do the same. He pointed specifically to tensions within Michigan Democratic politics over Israel, including the booing of pro-Israel Rep. Haley Stevens at a state party convention earlier this year.
El-Sayed has been an outspoken critic of Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He has characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” while also insisting after winning the Democratic nomination that he is committed to confronting antisemitism and protecting Jewish Americans. His campaign responded to Rogers’ new coalition by portraying the Republican as too closely aligned with President Donald Trump and arguing that El-Sayed has assembled the coalition necessary to win in November.
The race also presents voters with significant policy differences. El-Sayed has championed Medicare for All and previously called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rogers, meanwhile, is campaigning with Trump’s endorsement and attempting to consolidate Republicans while attracting enough crossover voters to flip the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Michigan’s closely divided electorate offers another opportunity to pray for wisdom and discernment as voters evaluate those seeking public office. The divisions emerging within political parties also remind us that elections can turn on deeply held convictions that transcend party labels. Let’s pray for civility in political debate, protection for Jewish Americans facing antisemitism, and for Michigan voters to carefully examine the character, policies, and records of the candidates before them.
Share your prayers and scriptures for Michigan and the upcoming midterm elections in the comments.
(Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
