GOP US Senate candidate for Michigan Mike Rogers takes stage at RNC

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers brought Michigan Republicans to their feet as he took the stage Tuesday at his party's national convention, capping a day that began with a breakfast with the GOP delegation from the battleground state.

Michigan voters will soon have an opportunity to select their GOP U.S. Senate candidate for the state in the upcoming Aug. 6 primary. But Rogers said polling shows the race is essentially decided in his favor. "I mean this thing's done now and we're just working to make sure people get out the vote," he told the Detroit Free Press.

He said he hasn't seen any of his opponents in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention. West Michigan physician Sherry O'Donnell and former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, of Cascade Township, are campaigning in Michigan during the GOP gathering, according to their campaigns. Grosse Pointe businessman Sandy Pensler's campaign did not provide information about the candidate's whereabouts. The convention offers an opportunity to meet with some of the most active GOP organizers and party donors around the country who can offer resources in the kind of competitive race expected for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, is the presumed front-runner. She is a formidable fundraiser and has prevailed in tight races in the past.

When Rogers walked up to the podium to deliver his speech Tuesday, he was introduced as "the next senator from Michigan." At the convention to formally name Donald Trump as the GOP presidential nominee, Rogers has already won something key in a Republican primary: the former president's endorsement , which came in March.

In his speech, Rogers echoed many of the key hallmarks of a Trump stump speech. He railed against electric vehicles, blamed President Joe Biden for inflation and argued four more years with Biden in the White House will make the country less safe.

"And listen, our adversaries aren't stupid. They know that all's they need to do is wait until nap time at the White House to push the limit," Rogers said, joking about Biden's physical fitness.

Republicans in Michigan are "fired up" and understand how important the U.S. Senate election in their state is to enabling their party to win back a majority in the chamber, Rogers said. "And so we're seeing a level of intensity and coming together even in a Republican Party that's had some patches of choppy waters," he added.

In response to Rogers' RNC speech, Michigan Democrats issued a statement: "Rogers is only looking out for himself and that’s why Michigan families can’t trust him to represent us in the Senate,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Chan.

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Rogers may end this week back in Michigan at the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids with Trump for the former president's first campaign rally after a bullet grazed his ear, leaving him bloodied onstage in Pennsylvania after the assassination attempt. The shooting left one person in the audience dead and others injured. Rogers told the Free Press he would be at the Grand Rapids rally if he's invited.

He said it's an important moment to show support for Trump. "He's a tough guy but we want to be there when he climbs up those stairs," Rogers said.

The shooting at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania prompted a wave of calls from Democrats and Republicans alike to turn down the temperature on heated political rhetoric. Rogers didn't say Trump bears any more responsibility than any other politician who's fanned the flames with their words. "You can kind of get in this silly game of you know they said one thing and they said one thing. I think what you're going ... to hear ... is ' hey, listen, it’s time for unity,'" Rogers said.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen .

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GOP US Senate candidate for Michigan Mike Rogers takes stage at RNC