MICHIGAN, USA — Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin won election to Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat on Wednesday. Slotkin's victory preserves a key seat for Democrats following the retirement of longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Slotkin is a former CIA analyst who was first elected in 2018 to Congress, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
Slotkin defeated former congressman Mike Rogers, who was attempting to become the first Republican in 30 years to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan.
The Associated Press declared Slotkin the winner at 3:12 p.m. EST.
Mike Rogers congratulated Slotkin on the win. He shared this statement:
"Congratulations to Congresswoman Slotkin on her victory, I wish her the best as she serves the people of Michigan in the Senate.
I am humbled and honored for the millions of Michiganders who embraced our campaign, shared their thoughts, their concerns, their ideas, and put their faith and trust in me to serve our great state as their U.S. Senator. I’m also proud to have run on the ticket with our President-elect, Donald J. Trump, and I have no doubt that he is going to help move Michigan and America forward.
Michigan will always be home, and serving our state has been the honor of my life. While it won’t be in the U.S. Senate right now, I will continue to serve Michigan now and into the future. Finally, I want to thank my partner in life and in this campaign, my wife Kristi, who has dedicated her life to service and was instrumental in helping us bring light to the issues that so many families are facing. She has been my rock and sacrificed to help bring needed change to Michigan.
Thank You, Michigan.”
Long-time Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is retiring and announced she wouldn’t be seeking reelection and will retire after her fourth term. It’s a post she’s held for more than two decades.
Sen. Stabenow endorsed U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin as she went head-to-head with her Republican challenger, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and third-term representative, launched her Senate campaign shortly after Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced her retirement in early 2023. With a largely uncontested primary, Slotkin built a significant fundraising advantage, much of which she has poured into ads during the race's final month. She's also gained high-profile support from figures like former President Barack Obama and Stabenow, who have helped her on the campaign trail in the final month.
On the Republican side, Rogers faced multiple challengers for the party's nomination, including former Reps. Justin Amash and Peter Meijer, the latter of whom withdrew before the Aug. 6 primary. Rogers served in the U.S. House from 2001 to 2015 and chaired the House Intelligence Committee.
Rogers would become the first Republican since Spencer Abraham in 1994 to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan.