In a post on Truth Social on Monday, former President Donald Trump endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) — a former House Intelligence Committee Chair, and a former FBI agent who fought organized crime — for the U.S. Senate representing the state of Michigan.
“Highly respected former Congressman Mike Rogers is running for the United States Senate from the Great State of Michigan,” Trump wrote. “Mike has served his Country during a career loaded up with accolades and wins, from the Army to Congress, and now, hopefully, the U.S. Senate. Mike will work closely with me to enact our America First Policies.”
BREAKING: @realDonaldTrump backs @MikeRogersForMI pic.twitter.com/xyfRFTRQct
— Mike Berg (@MikeKBerg) March 11, 2024
“He will tirelessly fight to Secure the Border, Stop Inflation, Grow the Economy, Strengthen our Military / Veteran Support, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump added. “Mike Rogers will be a Great and Powerful Senator for Michigan, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement. HE KNOWS HOW TO WIN!”
“Thank you, Mr. President! Excited to get to work with you to Get America and Michigan Back on Track!” Rogers replied on X. Several of the replies included Trump supporters who were hostile to Rogers as a former chair of the powerful House Intelligence Committee, aligning him with the intelligence community and deep state, which have had a tense relationship with Trump.
Thank you, Mr. President! Excited to get to work with you to Get America and Michigan Back on Track! pic.twitter.com/lLngWxzdfw
— Mike Rogers (@MikeRogersForMI) March 11, 2024
Top Senate Republicans prefer Rogers, and he also has the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee — but more conservative lawmakers like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) are not happy with the endorsement, calling Rogers a “never Trumper.”
Donald Trump just endorsed the worst Deep State candidate this cycle. @MikeRogersForMI is a never Trumper, and a card carrying member of the spy state that seeks to destroy Trump.
You have to ask yourself who gives Trump this awful advice?
Who’s next, John Bolton? pic.twitter.com/TZXRYLtFv6
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 11, 2024
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has been working hard with Trump this election season to push favored candidates through troublesome primaries. A recent Trump endorsement in Montana forced a congressman to drop out of the primary.
The Michigan Senate race is in a statistical dead-heat tie in the public opinion polls between Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and the three leading Republican candidates. Matched head-to-head with Rogers, Slotkin got 38% of Michigan’s likely voters to Rogers’ 37% share of the vote, with 25% undecided.
The two other Republican candidates — Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig both polled in that 36% – 38% range against Slotkin.