DETROIT (AP) — The race for Michigan’s open Senate seat between Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Republican former congressman Mike Rogers remained too early to name early Wednesday after leads to different states confirmed Democrats misplaced their slim majority within the higher chamber.
Slotkin had a transparent head begin as her marketing campaign started, however as Republicans grew to become extra assured about Donald Trump’s presidential prospects in Michigan, the competition drew extra consideration from funders who believed Rogers had an excellent likelihood of turning into the primary Republican to win a U.S. Senate seat within the state in 30 years.
Slotkin expressed gratitude to her supporters when she took the stage in Detroit early Wednesday. With a 3rd of Michigan’s vote nonetheless to be counted, she emphasised that it remained a “tight race.”
“We have had difficult periods in our history before,” Slotkin advised the watch occasion in downtown Detroit. “Over the subsequent few days, the outcomes will come into focus and the duty earlier than us can be to return collectively.”
Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and third-term consultant, launched her Senate marketing campaign shortly after Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow introduced her retirement in early 2023. With a largely uncontested main, Slotkin constructed a major fundraising benefit, a lot of which she has poured into adverts throughout the race’s ultimate month. She’s additionally gained high-profile assist from figures like former President Barack Obama and Stabenow, who’ve helped her on the marketing campaign path within the ultimate month.
Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin speaks throughout an election night time watch occasion, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photograph/Carlos Osorio)
Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks throughout an election night time watch occasion, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Assortment in Novi, Mich. (AP Photograph/Paul Sancya)
On the Republican aspect, Rogers confronted a number of challengers for the occasion’s nomination, together with former Reps. Justin Amash and Peter Meijer, the latter of whom withdrew earlier than the Aug. 6 main. Rogers served within the U.S. Home from 2001 to 2015 and chaired the Home Intelligence Committee.
Rogers would develop into the primary Republican since Spence Abraham in 1994 to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan.
The presidential race on the high of the ticket was anticipated to considerably affect the result. Rogers repeatedly accused Slotkin of voting “100% with the Biden-Harris agenda” and aligned himself carefully with Republican nominee Donald Trump, who endorsed him.
Rogers energized a West Michigan crowd late Monday night time, simply earlier than Trump’s ultimate marketing campaign rally in Grand Rapids, assuring voters, “Come tomorrow, we will have your backs.” Later, Trump praised Rogers on stage, calling him “amazing” and saying he was “doing great.”
Slotkin and different Michigan Democrats targeted a lot of their campaigns on reproductive rights, arguing that Republican opponents would again a nationwide abortion ban, though Rogers mentioned he would not. How successfully the problem motivated voting in a state the place reproductive rights had been enshrined within the structure by Michigan voters in 2022 remained to be seen on Election Day.
About 4 in 10 Michigan voters mentioned the economic system and jobs is the highest challenge dealing with the nation, based on AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of greater than 110,000 voters nationally, together with about 3,700 voters in Michigan. About 2 in 10 Michigan voters mentioned immigration is essentially the most urgent challenge, and roughly 1 in 10 named abortion.
Slotkin used her funding benefit to ascertain her narrative early, aiming to attach each along with her base and disillusioned Republicans.
“For the Republicans who feel like their party has left them over the last few years, you will always have an open door in my office,” Slotkin mentioned throughout their solely debate.
Metro Detroit could possibly be an space of vulnerability for Slotkin, with frustration over the Biden administration’s dealing with of the Israel-Hamas battle affecting down-ballot Democrats. Slotkin, who’s Jewish, has supported Israel whereas criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many leaders of the state’s massive Muslim group voiced frustration that she and different Democrats have not advocated extra forcefully for Palestinians.
