The Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriPAC has endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) over Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) in the race for the vacant Michigan Senate seat.
The Michigan Farm Bureau supported retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in the 2012 and 2018 Senate elections, but has not endorsed a Republican in a Senate election since 2006.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“I'm honored and grateful to have the support of AgriPac and Michigan's farmers who feed our nation and support our state's economy,” Rogers said. said In a statement.
The Michigan Republican continued:
Under this Administration, Michigan farmers have struggled with rising input costs and burdensome government regulations, and now, for the first time in U.S. history, we import more food than we export. As Michigan's Senator, farmers know I will always have their back. I will fight to lower costs, cut unnecessary regulations, and pass a Farm Bill so farmers can thrive and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation to succeed and feed the world.
According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and the Economy, agriculture in Michigan is one of the top three industries in the Great Lakes state, contributing more than $100 billion to the state's economy.
Michigan Republican strategist Jason Law said the endorsement is “very significant.”
WATCH — Slotkin: Ronald Reagan is 'turning over in his grave' because the GOP is 'pro-Putin':
“Slotkin serves on the House Agriculture Committee and her patron, Debbie Stabenow, is the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and I think they're both pretty upset about this decision,” Law explained.
Stabenow had been pressuring the Farm Bureau to back Slotkin.
“It was very disappointing,” Stabenow told Fox News Digital.
“The Farm Bureau has always supported Republicans, with the only exception being Debbie Stabenow, because she’s the chair of the Farm Bureau. [the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry]”,” Senatorial Democratic Chairman Gary Peters of Michigan told reporters.
“Otherwise, they're basically an extension of the Republican Party,” Peters added.
Rogers disputed Peters' claims, saying, “You've insulted the second largest industry in the state. They have a very thoughtful process and you can tell he hasn't visited many farms recently.”
The race between Slotkin and Rogers is closer than it's ever been.
A recent Marist poll found Slotkin leading Rogers by 6 percentage points among registered voters.
Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on X Sean Moran 3.
