Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R), who narrowly lost his Michigan Senate race in November, on Thursday indicated he’s ready to try again.
The surprise announcement from Democratic Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.) that he will retire in 2026 is set to create a highly contested battle for his successor in a battleground state President Donald Trump narrowly carried in 2024.
In post on X, formerly Twitter, Rogers said he is “strongly considering joining the fight once again to be the ally that President Trump needs and the leader that Michigan deserves.”
“Since receiving more votes than any other Republican candidate that has ever run for Senate in Michigan, the tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement I’ve received since November proves that our mission to send a real fighter to the US Senate has just begun,” he wrote.
Democrat Elisa Slotkin defeated Rogers by under half a percentage point for the seat left open by former Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D).
Rogers, a onetime Trump critic who also reportedly considered entering the 2024 GOP presidential primary, has since changed his tune on the president. Ever since he launched his 2024 Senate bid, Rogers has only had good things to say about the president and also endorsed him in November’s election. Trump appeared to return the favor by pronouncing his support for Rogers’ bid in March.
Rogers was keen to emphasize his ties to Trump.
“I’ve spent the last two years traveling across Michigan with the support of President Trump and millions of voters,” he said. “What I learned more than anything is that hard-working Michiganders deserve strong and honest representation that will have President Trump’s back.”
Rogers was also reportedly in consideration for top Trump administration jobs, including FBI directorand defense secretary.
Meanwhile, Democrats are expecting a crowded primary for Peters’ seat with prominent party figures like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing interest in the job.
Peters explained the reason behind his surprise retirement in an interview earlier this week.
“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation,” he told The Detroit News. “I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life.”
