DETROIT — Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers is lagging behind Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin in fundraising for his Michigan Senate race, but help is on the way after he secured the backing of a key conservative faction on Wednesday.
The Americans for Prosperity Action League endorsed Rogers with six days to go until the Aug. 6 primary, in which he faces off against former colleague Justin Amash.
Recent polls show Ms Slotkin leading Mr Rogers by about 5 points.
Both candidates face competition in their respective primaries: Mr. Rogers is facing off against Amash, a maverick Republican-turned-independent, while Ms. Slotkin is trying to outdo actor Hill Harper.
“If elected, Michiganders can be counted on to vote against inflationary government spending and provide border security where the current administration has failed,” the conservative group said of Rogers.
AFP Action will provide $1.7 million in advertising funding as well as “data and digital capabilities” to Rogers’ campaign in August.
As of June 30, Slotkin had raised $22.3 million and still had about $9.6 million on hand. Rogers had raised $4.9 million and still had $2.5 million on hand.
So if Rogers becomes the nominee, his Democratic opponent will have nearly four times as much money.
While Amash’s fundraising totals are not in the millions, on the Democratic side, Harper has raised $2.4 million with $210,000 in cash on hand.
Retiring Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow is completing her fourth term this year and her seat will become vacant in November.
Michigan’s other senator, Gary Peters, has been touted as a “dark horse” candidate to rival Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Peters’ seat will be up for grabs again in 2026.
