(The Center Square) – Continuing the unification of the Republican Party, Michigan’s U.S. Senate race got into a new lane Saturday when Mike Rogers accepted an endorsement from Sandy Pensler as he ceased his campaign.
The men were invited to the stage of former President Donald Trump during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. The primary is Aug. 6.
“President Trump endorsed Mike Rogers,” Pensler said. “Tonight, so am I.”
Rogers formerly was in the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, having won in the November 2000 election until deciding not to run in the 2014 midterms.
Rogers told Pensler, “I am honored to have you stand with us. You’re going to be an important voice for our party in Michigan going forward.”
And turning to Trump, he made pledges to work with him on policy.
“And Mr. President,” he said, “it wasn’t that the bullet took you to the ground. It was that you got back up for America.”
“I’ve never seen a more unsafe America because of the Democrats over the last four years,” Rogers said.
Pensler has a strong background in business, as an investor and advisor. He’s worked with Chrysler, Sprint and Scholastic.
Candidates are trying to fill the vacancy created when Sen. Debbie Stabenow in January 2023 said she would not seek reelection. It is one of 34 seats up for grabs in the chamber. Nineteen are held by Democrats, 11 by Republicans and four by independents who caucus with Democrats.
The November ballot will have Douglas Marsh of the Green Party and James Frizzell, an independent. The Republican Primary also has on the ballot former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash and Sherry O’Donnell. The Democratic Primary matches U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Hill Harper.
