Former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers is preparing to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, just a few months after his close defeat to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. According to sources who are familiar with his plans, Rogers is set to enter the race for the 2026 Senate seat. These individuals have asked to remain unnamed as they were not authorized to disclose details regarding his intentions.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, Rogers expressed that he is “strongly considering joining the fight once again,” hinting that “good news is coming soon.” Oakland County Republican Party Chair Vance Patrick also confirmed that Rogers’ team initiated a conversation about a potential run.
The upcoming race for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat is expected to be highly competitive, particularly after Democratic Senator Gary Peters announced his retirement and decision to forgo seeking a third term. Peters’ departure poses a significant challenge for Senate Democrats as they aim to reclaim control of the chamber, which is currently dominated by Republicans holding a 53-47 majority.
This situation marks a consecutive election cycle for Michigan Democrats, who now must defend another open Senate seat after Debbie Stabenow opted not to pursue a fifth term in 2024. In the recent election, Rogers narrowly lost to Slotkin by just under 19,000 votes.
Rogers, a veteran and former FBI agent, was first elected to Congress in 2000 and served seven terms, the last two of which he chaired the committee overseeing U.S. intelligence agencies. He left office in 2015 and briefly participated in President Donald Trump’s transition team as a national security advisor.
If Rogers officially enters the race, he may find himself in a more advantageous position compared to the last cycle, with heightened name recognition and a longer campaign period. Unlike the previous election, when he joined around six months after Slotkin had already declared, Rogers would have several additional months to prepare for a potential candidacy.
However, he won’t have the benefit of campaigning alongside Trump, who actively visited Michigan during his successful presidential campaign. Trump garnered nearly 80,000 more votes than former Vice President Kamala Harris in the state.
Both major political parties are likely to face crowded primaries in Michigan’s Senate race. Democrats may see interest from figures such as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten, and state Senator Mallory McMorrow, all of whom are weighing their options. On the Republican side, Tudor Dixon, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2022, is also contemplating a Senate run, though it is noteworthy that Republicans have not succeeded in a U.S. Senate race in Michigan for over three decades.
