Mike Rogers — Candidate Profile

Party: Republican

Running in: Michigan Senate Race

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Mike Rogers

RepublicanMichigan Senate Race
Campaign Website →

Summary

Michael J. Rogers (born June 2, 1963) is a former U.S. Representative from Michigan's 8th Congressional District (2001-2015) and former chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (2011-2015). Before Congress, he served in the Michigan State Senate (1995-2000) and U.S. Army (1985-1989). After leaving Congress, he worked as CNN national security commentator and executive producer for 'Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies.' He also worked as FBI special agent specializing in organized crime and public corruption (1989-1994). Currently lives in White Lake Township, Michigan with his second wife Kristi (married 2010).

Background

Rogers was born in Livonia, Michigan to Joyce A. and John C. Rogers. His father was a shop teacher who built the house Rogers grew up in; his mother ran the local chamber of commerce. Rogers was raised with five siblings. He graduated from Adrian College in 1985 with degree in criminal justice and sociology. After Army service (1985-1989), he worked as FBI special agent in Chicago's organized crime unit (1989-1994). Elected to Michigan State Senate in 1994 representing three counties (Clinton, Livingston, Shiawassee); became majority leader 1999-2000. Elected to U.S. House in 2000 in one of nation's closest races, defeating Democratic state senator Dianne Byrum by 111 votes. Served 14 years in House (2001-2015), chairing Intelligence Committee 2011-2015. Left Congress to work as CNN national security commentator and defense lobbyist in Florida. Returned to Michigan in 2024 to run for Senate. Married to Kristi Rogers since 2010; has two children from first marriage.

Campaign Platform

Economy
Bring manufacturing jobs back to Michigan
Work with President Trump to return manufacturing jobs; strengthen skilled trades and economic development
Protect Social Security for seniors
Guarantee protection of Social Security; will not change Michigan's abortion amendment
Lower costs of gas, groceries, and prescription drugs
Address inflation and cost of living through Trump's economic policies
Defense
Strengthen national security and counter cyber threats
Focus on cybersecurity threats from Russia, China, and Iran based on intelligence background
Education
Improve education and school focus
Refocus schools on education rather than 'social engineering'; reference to 'three Rs'

Key Issue Positions

National Security

Strong on cybersecurity and intelligence

Chaired House Intelligence Committee; specializes in cyber threats from foreign adversaries

Voting History: Authored Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA); supported Intelligence Authorization Acts

Healthcare

Critical of Affordable Care Act

Has repeatedly voted to repeal Obamacare; opposed drug price negotiations

Voting History: Voted against 2010 ACA; repeatedly voted for repeal; opposed 2022 Inflation Reduction Act drug negotiation provisions

Social Security and Medicare

Supported privatization proposals

In early 2000s backed allowing part of Social Security tax into private investment funds; supported Medicare voucher system

Voting History: Voted for 2011 plan to replace Medicare with voucher system; as recently as 2023 said retirement needed rethinking

Gun Rights

Strong NRA supporter

Received A ratings from NRA; opposed gun safety legislation aimed at preventing school shootings

Voting History: Consistently voted against gun safety measures

Abortion

Pro-life but respects Michigan amendment

Says won't take steps in Washington to change Michigan's constitutional abortion rights protection

Voting History: As 2024 candidate, downplayed anti-abortion views in campaign ads

Trump Alignment

Strong Trump supporter

Previously criticized Trump in 2022 but shifted to full alignment after launching Senate campaign

Voting History: Deleted November 2022 post calling for Republicans to move forward from Trump; now full MAGA alignment

Labor Rights

Anti-union positions

Voted with AFL-CIO only 11% of time in Congress; supported eliminating wage protections for construction workers

Voting History: Voted to make millions of workers ineligible for overtime pay; supported replacing overtime with comp time

Voting Record

Rogers served in House from 2001-2015 with 14-year voting record. He took conservative positions on healthcare, labor, Medicare/Social Security, and gun rights. He authored legislation on education savings and health savings accounts. He chaired Intelligence Committee and focused on national security and cybersecurity issues.

BillTitleVoteDateSignificance
Affordable Care Act repealMultiple attempts to repeal ObamacareNay2010-2014Consistent opposition to healthcare reform
Fiscal Cliff compromiseMade most Bush tax cuts permanent; raised top ratesYea2013-01-01One of 85 Republicans who voted for bill
Medicare Part DAdded prescription drug benefit but banned government drug price negotiationYea2003Protected pharmaceutical industry from price negotiations
Drug price negotiation ban repealOpposed lifting ban on government drug negotiationNay2007Opposed measure to lower drug costs for seniors

Social Media Activity

Rogers' social media emphasizes his experience, security credentials, and Trump alignment. Tone is aggressive toward Democratic opponents, particularly on foreign policy. Campaign messaging heavily features Trump endorsement and partnership rhetoric.

X/TwitterApril 14, 2025

Announced Senate campaign with focus on Trump partnership and bringing manufacturing jobs back

Official campaign launch stating will be 'ally for President Trump'

View post →
X/TwitterMarch 30, 2026

Attacked Abdul El-Sayed over Khamenei comments and Hasan Piker association

Campaign criticism of Democratic opponents on foreign policy and controversial associations

Recurring Themes
Trump partnership and America First agendaManufacturing jobs for MichiganNational security and cybersecurity expertiseCriticism of Democratic opponentsCost of living and inflationSkilled trades and educationElection integrity concerns (2024 fraud claims)

Contradictions

Claim: Rogers is Trump-backed conservative fighter
Reality: In November 2022 posted on X that Republicans should dump Trump: 'It's time to move forward'; deleted this post after launching Senate campaign
Source: American Journal News, March 2024
Claim: Rogers won 2024 Senate race
Reality: Narrowly lost to Elissa Slotkin 48.3% to 48.6% despite Trump winning state by 80,000 votes; Rogers underperformed Trump by 123,000 votes
Source: Detroit News, November 2024
Claim: Rogers respects election results
Reality: Without evidence claimed in October 2025 that a van showed up with ballots to swing 2024 election against him; nearly a year after conceding and with no initial fraud claims
Source: Michigan Advance, November 10, 2025
Claim: Rogers won't change Social Security/Medicare
Reality: In 2000s backed privatizing part of Social Security; voted for Medicare voucher system in 2011; as recently as 2023 said retirement needed rethinking
Source: Michigan Independent citing voting record and recent statements

What Opponents Say

Haley Stevens campaign

Rogers lost in 2024 fair and square and will lose again

Responding to Rogers' baseless 2024 election fraud claims

Abdul El-Sayed campaign

Rogers voted to raise Rx drug costs 60 times as congressman

El-Sayed criticized Rogers' record on drug price negotiations

Democratic operatives

Rogers' billionaire backers propping up flailing campaign

Michigan Democratic Party statement about Super PAC support from Koch network

Major Donors & PACs

Great Lakes Conservatives Fund (Super PAC)Super PAC
Super PAC exclusively supporting Rogers; ended Q4 2025 with ~$6 million
$6 million+
Bluff Point Associates Corp (Private equity)Super PAC donor
Largest donor to Great Lakes Conservatives Fund in Q4 2025
$100,000
Ed Adler estateSuper PAC donor
Donation reported after deceased donor's death; raised questions about campaign practices
$86,000
Koch Inc. (PAC)Industry PAC
Part of Charles Koch's political network
Not specified
Toyota (PAC)Industry PAC
Not specified
AT&T (PAC)Industry PAC
Not specified
Amgen (PAC)Industry PAC
Not specified
Campaign committeeCampaign fund
Ended 2025 with most cash on hand of any Senate candidate; raised nearly $2 million in Q4 2025 alone
$3.5 million

Endorsements

Donald TrumpindividualTrump endorsed Rogers and has positioned him as ally; Rogers hired Trump's co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita
Senate Majority Leader John ThuneindividualEndorsed Rogers immediately upon announcement; called him conservative leader Michigan needs
NRSC Chairman Tim ScottindividualEndorsed Rogers; said will add seat to Trump's majority
U.S. Rep. Jack BergmanindividualMichigan Republican colleague endorsement
U.S. Rep. Tim WalbergindividualMichigan Republican colleague endorsement
AFP Action (Americans for Prosperity)organizationConservative group spending $500,000+ on ads boosting Rogers; part of Koch network

Sources

  1. Wikipedia - Mike Rogers (Michigan politician)
  2. Mike Rogers for Senate - Official Campaign
  3. Ballotpedia - Mike Rogers (Michigan)
  4. Michigan Advance - Rogers announces second Senate run
  5. Detroit News - Rogers scores razor-thin loss to Slotkin
  6. Michigan Advance - Rogers election denialism claims