DSCC Statement on Elissa Slotkin & Mike Rogers

Even Republicans Say Rogers is an “Unprincipled Career Politician” with a “Selfish Pattern of Using Political Influence to Personally Profit”

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Sen. Gary Peters released the following statement at the start of the general election in Michigan: 

“Elissa Slotkin has dedicated her life to defending our country, serving our state and fighting for the priorities that matter most to Michiganders that work for a living. From lowering costs for prescription drugs, opposing America’s foreign adversaries or bringing supply chains and good jobs back to our country, Elissa puts the interest of Michiganders first in everything she does – and those are the values I know she’ll bring to the Senate. 

“While Elissa is fighting for Michigan, Mike Rogers has shown he’s only fighting for himself: he abandoned our state, went through the ‘revolving door’ in order to get rich and cash out working for companies tied to China, Saudi Arabia, and mega corporations. Michiganders will see Rogers for what he is: a self-serving politician who is only ever looking out for himself, and they’ll reject him in November.” 

WATCH THE MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS’ VIDEO ON ROGERS: 

What to know about Mike Rogers: 

In Congress, Rogers cozied up with lobbyists and big corporations so he could walk through the revolving door and enrich himself: 

• When he announced he was leaving Congress, Rogers indicated it was so he could pursue “something more lucrative” and “earn considerable amounts of money.”
  
  
• Business Insider reported that Rogers “passed through the ‘revolving door,’ advising companies on issues he dealt with in Congress,” and that he “made good on his quest to get rich” through paid speeches and cushy corporate gigs in industries he was responsible for regulating.
  
  
• Rogers abandoned Michigan to buy a million-dollar mansion in Florida after his “explosion of immense wealth” – and he still does not have a house in Michigan. 

Rogers sold out Michiganders and America’s national security, working for companies tied to China and Saudi Arabia: 

• The Detroit News reported Rogers and his wife made “hundreds of thousands of dollars in wealth through companies that have partnered with Chinese firms.” Rogers took a lucrative contract with AT&T at the same time the company was being scrutinized for their close ties to the Chinese tech company Huawei. Rogers’ former staffers lobbied for AT&T at the same time, while the company was looking to expand business with Huawei.
  
  
• Rogers worked for Nokia while the company worked to strengthen their connections with Huawei – after the U.S. government had already sanctioned Huawei over national security concerns.
  
  
• Rogers “has been linked to several Saudi companies” and allegedly benefited financially from his ties to the companies – “including one with questionable nuclear ambitions.”
  
  
• Even Republicans have criticized Rogers’ financial ties to U.S. adversaries, calling him an “unprincipled career politician” who “should be disqualified from ever taking office” because of his “selfish pattern of using political influence to personally profit.”

Rogers’ toxic agenda includes banning abortion, jeopardizing Social Security and Medicare, and tax giveaways for Betsy DeVos and the wealthiest few: 

• Rogers celebrated the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and “consistently voted” for abortion bans. Rogers co-sponsored and voted for bills that would have criminalized and banned abortion – and even jeopardized access to IVF. 

• Rogers supports ripping away benefits from Michigan seniors and spiking costs by slashing Social Security and transforming Medicare into a voucher program. Rogers has voted against measures to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
  
  
• Rogers voted to slash taxes for millionaires like Betsy DeVos and has taken tens of thousands of dollars from the DeVos family.

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