Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., suffered a significant setback in the Michigan Senate race this week when the Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPac announced its endorsement of her Republican opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers.
This endorsement marks a notable shift, as the group has not backed a Republican for this Senate seat since 2006.
AgriPac, representing Michigan’s robust agricultural sector, had previously supported outgoing Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., in her re-election campaigns in 2012 and 2018. The endorsement of Rogers breaks with this trend, potentially reshaping the dynamics of an already tight race.
Rogers expressed gratitude for the endorsement, stating, “I’m honoured and grateful to have earned the support of AgriPac and the farmers across Michigan who feed our nation and power Michigan’s economy.”
He emphasised that Michigan farmers need help with rising costs and government regulations under the current administration. Rogers vowed to fight for lower costs, slash unnecessary rules, and push for the passage of the Farm Bill to ensure that Michigan’s agricultural sector thrives.
Michigan’s farming industry is a cornerstone of the state’s economy, contributing over $100 billion annually and employing nearly a million people, or about 22% of the state’s workforce. The Michigan Farm Bureau’s influence is considerable in a state where agriculture is one of the top three industries.
The endorsement is a significant blow to Slotkin, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Stabenow, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, advocated for AgriPac to support Slotkin as her successor.
According to Michigan Republican strategist Jason Roe, the endorsement is “pretty damn significant” and likely to cause frustration for both Slotkin and Stabenow.
Stabenow expressed disappointment over the decision, telling Fox News Digital, “That was very disappointing.” Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Gary Peters also downplayed the endorsement, claiming, “The Farm Bureau always endorses the Republican candidate, except for Debbie Stabenow.”
Rogers pushed back against Peters’ statement, pointing out that AgriPac had endorsed 14 Democrats in other races this election cycle, including for seats in the House of Representatives. “This endorsement sends a clear message, not just to the agricultural community but to the entire business community in Michigan,” Rogers said.
While Slotkin’s campaign did not comment, the endorsement is a potential game-changer. Recent polling shows Slotkin with a six-point lead over Rogers, but the race is tightening. According to the latest Marist poll, Slotkin leads Rogers 51% to 45% among registered voters.
The Michigan Senate race has emerged as one of the most competitive in the country. The Cook Political Report, a respected election forecaster, has labelled the race a “toss-up” alongside the Senate contest in Ohio. This marks a shift from earlier in the year when the Michigan race was considered a “lean Democrat.”
Despite Slotkin’s current lead, Rogers remains confident that the Farm Bureau’s endorsement will make a difference in the campaign’s final stretch. “This endorsement makes people take notice,” he said. He dismissed the impact of negative ads against him, noting that farmers are more concerned with substance than media narratives.
Rogers emphasised that Michigan’s farming community values candidates who engage with them directly to address their concerns. He believes this endorsement bolsters his standing with farmers and resonates with independent voters, who remain a crucial demographic in the race.
As the election approaches, both campaigns are intensifying their efforts to secure support in what is shaping to be one of the closest and most closely watched Senate races in the 2024 election cycle.
