A Michigan Senate candidate aims to achieve what no Republican has done in three decades
Former Representative Mike Rogers is attempting to become the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan in 30 years
ROCHESTER, Mich. (AP) — As canvassers for U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers navigate the manicured lawns and gated communities of some of Detroit's wealthiest suburbs, they walk a fine line in their efforts to convince Republicans disillusioned with Donald Trump to back other GOP candidates next month.
Nowhere else in Michigan reflects the state's recent shift toward Democrats more than Oakland County just north of Detroit, home to the state's largest Republican base. Democrats have won decisively here in recent elections, and winning back voters in a county once dominated by traditional country club Republicans could be crucial to Rogers' chances to achieve what no Republican has done in more than three decades: win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan.
“We created a large, probably the best ground game, I would argue, in the country right now," Rogers said in a recent interview. “And we are firing on all cylinders.”
With control of the Senate on the line, the race for Michigan’s open seat could be pivotal. Democrats currently maintain a narrow margin in the Senate but are defending far more seats in this year’s elections than Republicans.
