President Donald Trump’s endorsement of former Rep. Mike Rogers has solidified his position in Michigan’s 2026 Senate race, clearing the GOP field and providing momentum against a Democratic-held seat. The endorsement came as GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga, who had been seriously considering a Senate run, announced he would not launch a 2026 Senate campaign after consulting with Trump.
Rogers, who is making his second consecutive bid for the Senate in Michigan, highlighted the importance of Trump’s backing in his exclusive Fox News Digital interview, stating it gives him a ‘clear shot’ to flip the seat. Rogers, who previously won the 2024 GOP Senate nomination but narrowly lost to Rep. Elissa Slotkin in November, is aiming to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Democrats, however, face a crowded and competitive primary, with candidates including Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, former state House Speaker Rep. Joe Tate, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director. Rogers criticized the Democratic primary as ‘a knife fight’ with internal divisions.
Trump’s narrow victory in Michigan in the 2024 presidential election, after losing the state by a razor-thin margin four years earlier, has set the stage for 2026. However, Republicans haven’t won a Senate election in Michigan in over 30 years, with the last victory being former Sen. Spencer Abraham’s 1994 win.
Rogers emphasized that his early start in this cycle, compared to his 2024 Senate run, and Trump’s endorsement, could make the difference in 2026. ‘I wasn’t even in the race this early last go round,’ Rogers said. ‘So to be in the race this early and get his [Trump’s] endorsement just says we are serious about winning.’
‘All good full steam ahead here,’ Rogers emphasized, signaling his determination to capitalize on the endorsement and the momentum gained from clearing the primary field.