The chairman of the House’s select committee on China endorsed Mike Rogers in Michigan’s GOP primary for Senate on Wednesday, the latest endorsement for the former lawmaker as he looks to flip the seat held by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), a Michigan lawmaker who recently assumed the chairmanship from former Rep. Mike Gallagher, called Rogers a “strong conservative” who would confront China, citing his career in law enforcement and years spent in the House representing Michigan.
Rogers, who chaired the House Intelligence Committee, retired from Congress in 2015.
“We need a candidate who will get the job done, and I can think of no better person for the job than Mike Rogers,” Moolenaar said in a statement. “Mike has a long and respected record of serving our nation and fighting for Michigan, holding China and our enemies accountable, and delivering real results for families.”
Rogers thanked Moolenaar for being a “strong champion” for Michigan and for his endorsement in a statement on Wednesday.
“I’m humbled to receive the endorsement of Congressman John Moolenaar, a fierce advocate for our state in Congress and a leader on taking on China,” Rogers said. “He’s shed a critical light on the Chinese Communist Party’s economic aggression and efforts to buy U.S. farmland. I look forward to continuing our work together to help bring a brighter, more prosperous future for Michigan families and to Get America Back on Track.”
Moolenaar joins a growing list of endorsements for Rogers, including former President Donald Trump and the head of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT).
Rogers is the leading Republican in the primary but will face businessman Sandy Pensler and former GOP congressman-turned-libertarian Justin Amash on Aug. 6.
Whoever wins the primary is expected to face Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) in the general election. Rogers is behind but within the margin of error of Slotkin, according to recent polls. An April poll from Emerson College/the Hill/Nexstar found Slotkin with 42% to Rogers’s 40%. The race is competitive but rated “lean Democrat” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Rogers has cast himself as a China hawk since launching his run for Senate in September, relying on his four years spent as Intelligence Committee chairman. But Democrats have attempted to chip away at that image by citing his past work for companies like AT&T that have ties to China.
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Rogers has pushed back on the line of attack, noting his work scrutinizing Chinese telecom companies in Congress.
“I will put my record on China against anyone, anytime,” he said in a statement at the time.
