Even though the calendar shows that it is still 2025, and in fact, we are in the summer thereof, things are starting to heat up for the primary season here in the Great Lakes State and, therefore, the general election in 2026. Campaign seasons seem to be getting longer, and I have no issue with that because I’m a political nerd.
So for those of you counting at home, and being we are almost through with July, that means the general election night is just a mere 16 months away. In Michigan, which has leaned blue more and more since Governor John Engler left office in 2002, Republicans have to start picking candidates much earlier than in other parts of the country to get a jump on things.
Which is GREAT for said nerd, which, as we already touched on, I am.
From the Detroit News on who has made it official that they are in the mix for the 2026, open Senate race for the seat being vacated by Gary Peters:
President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat ― the day after another potential contender for the GOP nomination bowed out.
“From the U.S. Army to Congress, Mike has served our Nation with distinction, and will bring that same Fighting Spirit to the U.S. Senate,” Trump wrote in a post on social media.
“Mike Rogers has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
Trump met with West Michigan congressperson, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, and told him that he should NOT run for the Senate seat. After the said meeting, Huizenga decided maybe it was not the best time to try a run for the Senate, which cleared the way for the Rogers endorsement by the president.
Being Rogers ran against the current Democrat incumbent, Senator Elissa Slotkin, who beat him by only 19,000 votes two years ago, he would be most likely to be ready to jump in again.
Thankfully, he is.
The last time that Michigan sent a Republican to the United States Senate was in 1994 with the election of Spence Abraham. The incumbent lost his reelection bid to Debbie Stabenow, whose seat was filled by Slotkin in 2024.
Now, Mike Rogers, whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and talking with when he was a congressman, I feel, is the preferred choice in this race.
Why would I be so bold as to say that, you may ponder?
Here is who the Democrats will (possibly) choose from during this cycle. The primary to select someone is in August of next year, so we have a little time to go; someone else could hop in, and frankly, I hope someone does just to mix it up a bit.
State Rep. Joseph Tate (D), who was elected to the Michigan House in 2018
Rep. Haley Stevens is, so far, the favorite to win the primary and face off against Rogers, but only time will tell what exactly happens between now and then. Being that it is Michigan, and having lived here all of my life, it can get weird quickly.
However, Congressperson Huizenga still has the president’s support if he decides to keep his seat in Congress. With the House being held on by such a thin margin and the president realizing this, he correctly made a plea for Huizenga to stay in the People’s House:
Trump said Huizenga is doing a “truly FANTASTIC job” representing southwest Michigan and added that he hopes he runs for reelection to Congress.
“He will have my Complete and Total Endorsement, and he will never let us down,” Trump wrote.
Huizenga won by double digits last time he ran and is well-liked in his district, which is why the president encouraged him to stay put and run again as the representative from the 4th District.
Only political nerds wonder about the election this far out from the general, and I’m here for it.
Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
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