In the ongoing battle for the open Michigan Senate race, former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) has been endorsed by the Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPAC over Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI. This marks a shift from previous years, as the Michigan Farm Bureau had not backed a Republican candidate for the Senate seat since 2006 and had supported retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in her 2012 and 2018 campaigns.
The endorsement comes after Mike Rogers expressed his gratitude for the support from AgriPac, stating that it highlights the importance of Michigan’s farming community to the nation’s economy and food security. He emphasized his commitment to protecting farmers’ interests by fighting against rising input costs and burdensome government regulations.
Michigan agriculture is one of the state’s top three industries, contributing more than $100 billion to its economy, according to the Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Economy. The endorsement of Mike Rogers has been described as “pretty damn significant” by GOP strategist Jason Roe, who noted that it could be viewed unfavorably by Slotkin’s supporters.
The tightening election between Slotkin and Rogers is drawing attention to the importance of agricultural issues in the race. A recent Marist survey revealed that Slotkin held a six-percent lead over Rogers among registered voters, highlighting the significance of each candidate’s stance on agricultural policies.