Back on the Stump: Michigan’s Rogers Taking Second Shot at Senate

Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., on Monday announced his 2026 run for the soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat of retiring Michigan Democrat Sen. Gary Peters. 

Rogers, a veteran of Michigan politics, who lost to Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., in his 2024 Senate run, represented Michigan’s 8th Congressional District from 2001 to 2015.

He lost by fewer than 20,000 votes in 2024 in the Wolverine State, whereas Donald Trump defeated then-Vice President Kamala Harris by 80,000 votes for the presidency.

In his campaign announcement video Monday, Rogers repeatedly emphasized his alignment with President Trump’s agenda

“I’ll stand with President Trump, and we will deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people,” he said.

Rogers closely allied himself with the Trump campaign in 2024, seeking to benefit from the expansion of the Republican coalition seen in that election cycle. 

That was seen in his wooing of both Arab and black voters in Michigan, many of whom did move to the Republican Party.

High-ranking GOP senators were quick to offer their endorsement Monday. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., called Rogers a “proven conservative leader that Michigan needs in the U.S. Senate,” while Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, also supported Rogers’ run.

In his announcement, Rogers also hinted at what may be the major issues at play in 2026.

“Alongside President Trump, I’ll fight to bring good, high-paying manufacturing jobs back to Michigan,” he said. 

A perennial issue in swing-state Michigan, the battle for the hearts and minds of the working class will likely be fierce in 2026. There are signs Rogers will have a stronger hand this time around than last year. 

Former Rep. Mike Rogers is once again positioning himself as a Trump ally in his bid for Senate in 2026. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

For example, Shawn Fain, the president of the Detroit-based United Auto Workers union, has repositioned himself as an ally of the new administration, despite having campaigned for Harris in 2024 while repeatedly calling Trump a “scab.”

Rogers also gave his “guarantee we’ll protect Social Security for our seniors.” 

That’s intended as a preemptive response to the repeated accusations made by Washington Democrats that Republicans will raid benefits programs in order to finance tax cuts.

 Rogers’ guarantees not to touch Social Security are reminiscent of his 2024 guarantees that he would not propose national legislation against abortion if elected as senator. His remarks are likely meant to nip Democrats’ accusations in the bud there as well.

The only Democrat currently in the running for the party’s nomination is Mallory McMorrow, a state senator who had a high-profile Democratic National Convention speech in 2024. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., is also considering running.

In his new bid for Senate, Rogers will have time on his side. In his previous run, Rogers did not enter the race until August of 2023—meaning, he has more time to raise money and gain endorsements this time around.

But he may face competition in the Republican primary.

Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., posted to X in response to speculation about him running for Senate: “I will continue to talk with voters and ask them who they believe is the best candidate for Republicans to nominate and elect to serve Michigan in the U.S. Senate.”

Former Republican Michigan gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon has also weighed a run for Senate.

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