Former President Donald Trump and his new running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, are returning to Michigan for a rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday. This event marks their first public appearance together since the Republican National Convention concluded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday. The rally is significant as Republicans aim to reclaim the Senate majority in the upcoming elections, and Michigan is a state they are targeting.
Longtime Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow is not seeking re-election this year, creating an opportunity for the GOP. Moreover, Michigan is a key battleground state in the presidential election. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016, while President Biden secured a razor-thin victory in 2020.
Republican Senate candidate and former Rep. Mike Rogers, a leading contender for the GOP nomination, emphasized the importance of Michigan in the race. Rogers, a former FBI special agent and former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, will be present at the rally. He believes that the Democrats are losing support due to their failure to deliver on promises, and Trump’s presence will energize voters.
“Michigan is going to be critically important,” Rogers told Fox News Digital. “All of the coalitions of the Democrats are falling apart. Why? Because they haven’t delivered.” He added that having Trump back in Michigan for the third time since April will provide a boost to GOP candidates by conveying the message that “help is on the way. We’ve got your back. Here are the policies that are going to make your lives better.”
Trump’s visit to Grand Rapids will be his second since April. The Biden campaign, however, released a statement on the eve of the rally, criticizing Trump’s agenda. They claimed that Trump’s policies would hurt workers, raise costs for families, benefit billionaires, and weaken unions.
Rogers will face a crowded primary field on August 6th, which includes wealthy investor Sandy Pensler, former Rep. Justin Amash, and physician Sherry O’Donnell. He has secured the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and earned Trump’s endorsement in March.
Rogers expressed confidence in his campaign, stating that he is “doing exceptionally well in the primary” and anticipates winning the nomination. However, he acknowledges the need for continued voter engagement. “We’re going to win the primary, but we still need people to come out and get fired up,” he said.
The eventual Republican nominee is expected to face Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who is the frontrunner for her party’s Senate nomination in November.
