Jump to content

Mike Rogers (Michigan politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mike Rogers
Rogers, 2019
Chair of the House Intelligence Committee
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2015
Preceded bySilvestre Reyes
Succeeded byDevin Nunes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 8th district
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2015
Preceded byDebbie Stabenow
Succeeded byMike Bishop
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 26th district
In office
January 1, 1995 – January 3, 2001
Preceded byGilbert DiNello
Succeeded byValde Garcia
Personal details
Born (1963-06-02) June 2, 1963 (age 63)
Livonia, Michigan, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Diane Rogers
​
(div. 2007)​

Kristi Clemens
​
(m. 2010)​
Children2
RelativesBill Rogers (brother)
EducationAdrian College (BS)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service
1985–1989
RankLieutenant
Rogers's voice
Rogers opening a House Intelligence Committee hearing on NSA data collection
Recorded June 18, 2013

Michael J. Rogers (born June 2, 1963)[1] is an American law enforcement officer and politician who served from 2001 to 2015 as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he chaired the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2011 to 2015.

Rogers was the Republican nominee in the 2024 U.S. Senate election in Michigan, narrowly losing to the Democratic nominee, Elissa Slotkin. In the 2026 election, he is again the Republican nominee and faces Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.[2]

Early life and career

[edit]

Rogers was born in Livonia, Michigan,[3] the son of Joyce A. and John C. Rogers, and spent his early years in neighboring Redford Township.[4] His family moved to Brighton Township in Livingston County, where he graduated from Howell High School in 1981.[5][6] He graduated from Adrian College in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and sociology. Rogers served in the United States Army from 1985 to 1989.[3] Rogers is on Telefónica's Technical and Security Advisory Committee and a board member of IP3 International.[7][8]

Law enforcement career

[edit]

From 1989 to 1994, Rogers worked as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its Chicago office, specializing in organized crime and public corruption. He is a member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2017, Rogers was interviewed to be director of the FBI after James Comey was dismissed.[9]

Michigan Senate

[edit]

Rogers was first elected in 1994. In 1998, he won a second term with 68% of the vote.[10] He represented Clinton, Livingston, and Shiawassee Counties. Rogers wrote legislation creating the Michigan Education Savings Program.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

Rogers was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th district in one of the nation's closest congressional races of 2000. He defeated Democratic State Senator Dianne Byrum by 111 votes.[12] In 2002, the district was redrawn to be much friendlier to Republicans, losing its share of heavily Democratic Genesee County while being pushed further east into the solidly Republican northern part of Oakland County and also gaining Republican-leaning Clinton County, north of Lansing.

Tenure

[edit]
Rogers spoke at Hudson Institute about "Clear and Present Danger: Confronting the Cyber Threat from China and Russia".
Rogers and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter talked during the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress Eisenhower award dinner.

Rogers's measure to make education savings plans free of federal taxes was adopted in 2003 (see Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001). His health savings account program for low-income families covered by Medicaid was signed into law on February 8, 2008.[13] Rogers was the primary sponsor of the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, H.R. bill 5037, which President George W. Bush signed into law on May 29, 2006.[14] The CBO has said that Rogers's H.R. 1206 to make it easier for states to obtain waivers from some Medical Loss Ratio requirements would add $1.1 billion to the deficit between 2013 and 2022.[15]

On November 30, 2011, Rogers introduced the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA).[16] He introduced and supported the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015 (H.R. 4681; 113th Congress), a bill that would authorize a variety of intelligence agencies and their appropriations for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.[17][18] In March 2014, Rogers announced he would not seek an eighth House term.[19] He later launched "Something to Think About", a daily radio segment.[20] Former Michigan State Senator Mike Bishop won the Republican primary and defeated Democratic nominee Eric Schertzing.[21]

Committee assignments

[edit]

U.S. Senate campaigns

[edit]

2024

[edit]

In August 2023, Rogers announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate to succeed the retiring Democrat Debbie Stabenow.[22] He won the Republican primary with over 60% of the vote on August 6, 2024, and was the Republican nominee in the general election.[23][24] He lost to Democratic nominee Elissa Slotkin in the general election by fewer than 20,000 votes, while Donald Trump won the state in the concurrent presidential election by just over 80,000 votes.[24]

2026

[edit]

On April 14, 2025, Rogers announced his candidacy for his state's other U.S. Senate seat.[25]

Rogers's campaign focused on state and local issues while avoiding national topics. He described the election as a "change election" and said that voters should hold Michigan Democrats responsible for issues including rising utility rates and declining manufacturing employment.[26]

Running unopposed, he won the Republican primary on August 4, 2026. He will face Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the general election on November 3, 2026.[27] Following El-Sayed's primary victory, Rogers has sought to court Democratic and independent support in the state. He has criticized El-Sayed's support for Medicare for All and opposition to Israel–United States relations during the Gaza war, receiving endorsements from retiring state representative Karen Whitsett, rabbi Asher Lopatin, and several Jewish businesspeople.[28][29]

Political positions

[edit]

Abortion

[edit]

Rogers opposes abortion.[30] In October 1994, during his first run for Michigan Senate, he told the Lansing State Journal that he supported "all restrictions on abortion",[31] and in 2000, Rogers supported the Human Life Amendment.[32]

In 2003 and 2005, Rogers co-sponsored legislation to rescind federal approval of the abortion-inducing medication mifepristone.[33] along with the Right to Life Act, which would define human life and legal personhood as beginning at the moment of fertilization.[34] In 2009, Rogers co-sponsored legislation to provide full constitutional protections for "the right to life of each born and preborn human person"[35] and in October 2010, Rogers said he opposed abortion in all cases except to "prevent the death of the mother".[36]

In 2013, he voted in favor of federal legislation to ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and impose criminal penalties against doctors of up to five years in prison for violations.[32]

In a March 2023 interview, Rogers said, "I'm a pro-life guy, I've voted pro-life, and I don't walk away from that",[37] and in October 2023, Rogers said he supported the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade.[38]

In October 2024, Rogers said he would not attempt to change Michigan's 2022 constitutional amendment protecting legal access to abortion, saying the issue should be left to the states.[39]

Economic policy

[edit]

Rogers has supported Trump's plans for tariffs on foreign-made goods. He has said the main factor driving higher housing and consumer costs is high interest rates that could be reduced by "reining in outsized federal spending."[40]

Foreign policy

[edit]

Gordie Howe bridge

[edit]

As a congressman, Rogers opposed constructing a bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor and instead supported the construction of a second Ambassador Bridge span, which Canada opposed.[41][42] In 2026, Rogers supported Trump's threats to keep the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Michigan and Canada from opening.[43] Rogers said it would be useful as part of the trade war with Canada during the second Trump administration.[43]

Iran

[edit]

Rogers supported Trump's decision to launch strikes on Iran during the June 2025 Twelve-Day War.[44]

In February 2026, Rogers posted his support for initial strikes during the 2026 Iran war.[45][46] In March 2026, Rogers initially said of the war's impact on gas prices, "We're gonna be fine; we got plenty of oil".[47][48] He said, "You'll get your oil, because we're going to pump our oil right here in America, and we got plenty." Rogers's 2026 Senate campaign said the resulting 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis underscored the necessity of energy independence.[48][47] In June 2026, Rogers said he supported the then ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the 60-day Islamabad Memorandum,[49] which expired in August. He related the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to decreased gas and fertilizer prices.[49] In August, Rogers said Trump had the authority to continue the war without congressional approval, but that he should pursue that approval regardless: "The commander-in-chief has the authority and the ability to do a lot of what he's doing. I just think working with the legislature is probably a better idea."[50]

Israel-Palestine

[edit]

Rogers is a longtime supporter of Israel and was aligned with AIPAC during his tenure in Congress.[51]

In July 2025, Rogers said of opposition to Israel's conduct in the Gaza war, "it is very short-sighted and politically naive to walk in and say we're not going to allow Israel to defend itself."[52] He said he had encountered more criticism of Israel compared to previous years, and that not enough had been done to counter that, including within the Republican Party.[53]

In August 2026, Rogers attended AIPAC fundraisers,[51][54] but he has asked AIPAC not to campaign for him, fearing it could hurt his chances.[55][54]

Health care

[edit]

Rogers has voted repeatedly against Medicare negotiating drug prices, arguing a free market solution would be more effective.[56] Rogers has called for ending key provisions of the Affordable Care Act,[57] and opposed extended subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.[58]

Immigration

[edit]

Rogers has blamed "open borders" for increases in crime in the United States and supports a border wall and increased immigration enforcement.[39]

LGBTQ rights

[edit]

Rogers opposed Title IX protections introduced during the Biden administration against gender identity discrimination and spoke out against transgender athletes participating in women's and girls' sports, calling the issue personal to him.[59]

In 2025, Rogers appointed senior leaders to his Senate campaign's faith coalition who had openly opposed same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights.[60]

Opioids

[edit]

In 2003, Rogers first introduced the National Pain Care Policy Act, which would expand access to prescription opioids but did not include penalties for over-prescribing.[61] While in Congress, Rogers received $226,000 in donations from companies that are now paying Michigan and other states in settlements over their roles in the opioid epidemic, including Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.[62]

In response to criticism of campaign donations he received from opioid manufacturers, Rogers acknowledged in September 2016 that drug companies considered him a "champion" of their industry.[62][63]

Personal life

[edit]

Rogers has been married to his second wife, Kristi Rogers, since 2010. He has two children from his first marriage. Rogers's older brother Bill was a state representative in Michigan.[64]

Rogers sits on the Atlantic Council's Board of Directors.[65] He is also the David M. Abshire Chair at the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress,[66] an Intelligence Project Senior Fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Center,[67] a member of George Mason University's National Security Institute Board of Advisors,[68] and the chair of the board of trustees for the Mitre Corporation.[69]

In 2022, Rogers purchased a home in Cape Coral, Florida, before moving back to Michigan ahead of his 2024 run for the U.S. Senate.[70][71]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Rogers, Mike 1963 –". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ Gibbons, Lauren (August 20, 2026). "Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed: 7 issues defining Michigan's US Senate race". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Congressional Record - 111th Congress (2009-2010) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)". Retrieved June 6, 2014.[dead link]
  5. ↑ "Mike Rogers Announces Bid for US Senate". WHMI. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  6. ↑ "ROGERS, Mike". History, Art & Archives, United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  7. ↑ Linfante, Austin (July 3, 2024). "Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers connected to Saudi companies, including one with nuclear ambitions". Heartland Signal. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Our team". IP3 Int'l. Archived from the original on February 19, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  9. ↑ Nann Burke, Melissa (May 15, 2017). "Ex-Rep. Mike Rogers interviewed for FBI director". Detroit News. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  10. ↑ "MI State Senate 26 Race - Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns.
  11. ↑ "Act No. 161 - Public Acts of 2000" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. June 16, 2000.
  12. ↑ "2000 Official Michigan General Election Results – 8th District Representative in Congress 2 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  13. ↑ "MICROCOMP output file" (PDF). Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  14. ↑ "H.R.5037 - Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act". congress.gov. January 8, 2023.
  15. ↑ Viebeck, Elise. "CBO: GOP bill revising health law ratio will add to deficit." The Hill, November 8, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (2012; 112th Congress H.R. 3523) - GovTrack.us". GovTrack.us.
  17. ↑ Marcos, Cristina (May 30, 2014). "House authorizes intel programs through 2015". The Hill. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  18. ↑ "H.R. 4681 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Race for Rogers' seat is wide open in 8th Congressional District | the Detroit News". Archived from the original on March 28, 2014.
  20. ↑ ""Something to Think About" with Mike Rogers Launches in January on Radio Stations Nationwide Through Nation's Largest Talk Platform". westwoodone.com. November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 27, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Former State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop wins 8th Congressional District". Detroit News. November 4, 2014.
  22. ↑ Spangler, Todd (August 29, 2023). "Former Rep. Mike Rogers jumps into Michigan's US Senate race". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  23. ↑ Weisman, Jonathan (August 7, 2024). "Elissa Slotkin and Mike Rogers Will Face Off in Key Michigan Senate Race". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  24. 1 2 Frankel, Jillian (November 6, 2024). "Democrat Elissa Slotkin wins Michigan Senate seat over Republican Mike Rogers". NBC News. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  25. ↑ Robinson, Taylor (April 14, 2025). "Mike Rogers Will Run Again for Senate in Michigan". The New York Times. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  26. ↑ Wu, Nicholas (August 3, 2026). "Mike Rogers tries for a tricky 'change' election". Semafor. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  27. ↑ Gibbons, Lauren (August 5, 2026). "Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary in progressive 'shockwave'". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  28. ↑ Solis, Ben (August 20, 2026). "Mike Rogers touts Democratic defectors as he seeks to exploit divisions over Abdul El-Sayed". Michigan Advance. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  29. ↑ Kassel, Matthew (August 19, 2026). "Michigan Jewish Dems circulate letter endorsing Republican Mike Rogers for Senate". Jewish Insider. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  30. ↑ Tribou, Doug; Goss, Caoilinn (July 24, 2024). "Michigan's U.S. Senate race: Meet Republican candidate Mike Rogers". Michigan Public. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  31. ↑ Andrews, Chris; Borowski, Greg (October 24, 1994). "State Senate and House candidates on: Abortion". Lansing State Journal. p. 3B. Retrieved August 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. 1 2 Cheung, Kylie (August 30, 2024). "Michigan Republican in Tight Senate Race Says He'd Respect Abortion Rights. His Record Suggests Otherwise". Jezebel. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  33. ↑ Hermani, Jordyn (September 6, 2024). "On abortion, some Michigan candidate claims conflict with records". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ Rouhandeh, Alex (September 26, 2023). "As Trump Faces Abortion Heat, GOP Senate Candidates Seek Middle Ground". Newsweek. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  35. ↑ Kaminski, Kyle (February 26, 2024). "Mike Rogers tries to distance Senate campaign from past attempts to ban IVF". The Gander. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Where Michigan Congress hopefuls stand on 4 issues". MLive. Associated Press. October 18, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  37. ↑ Mar. 3, 2023 - Mike Rogers | OTR OVERTIME
  38. ↑ Neese, Garrett (October 23, 2023). "Rogers makes Senate campaign stop in Houghton". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  39. 1 2 Burke, Melissa Nann (October 24, 2024). "Where Slotkin, Rogers stand on key policy issues in Michigan's heated Senate race". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  40. ↑ Burke, Melissa Nann (October 24, 2024). "Where Slotkin, Rogers stand on key policy issues in Michigan's heated Senate race". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  41. ↑ Neavling, Steve (March 4, 2026). "Moroun family backed Mike Rogers as he defends blocking Gordie Howe bridge". Detroit Metro Times.
  42. ↑ "Is Span Plan a Bridge Too Far?" (PDF). Andersoneconomicgroup.com. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  43. 1 2 Solis, Ben (February 10, 2026). "Mike Rogers says Donald Trump's Gordie Howe bridge threat is 'the right thing to do'". Michigan Advance.
  44. ↑ Rod, Marc (July 7, 2025). "Michigan Senate hopeful Mike Rogers underscores his support for Trump's strikes on Iran's nuclear program". Jewish Insider. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  45. ↑ LaPlante, Brad (February 28, 2026). "Michigan GOP lawmakers support US-Israel assault on Iran. Dems say it's unconstitutional". WLNS-TV (channel 6). Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  46. ↑ Williams, Candice (February 28, 2026). "Protesters gather in Detroit to condemn U.S. strike on Iran, warn of wider war". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  47. 1 2 Cohen, Max (March 27, 2026). "Mike Rogers on rising gas prices: 'We're gonna be fine'". Punchbowl News. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  48. 1 2 Solis, Ben (March 27, 2026). "Michigan Democrats bash Mike Rogers for downplaying Iran war's effect on gas prices". Michigan Advance. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  49. 1 2 Burke, Melissa Nann (June 28, 2026). "Q&A: Mike Rogers on the Iran deal, weaponization fund, bridge politics". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  50. ↑ Wu, Nicholas (August 3, 2026). "Rogers tries for a tricky 'change' election". Semafor. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  51. 1 2 Rogers attends AIPAC fundraisers amid qualms about planned ad blitz, Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News
  52. ↑ Rosciglione, Annabella (August 20, 2025). "Mike Rogers claims Michigan Democrats 'trying to out-left each other' on Israel stance in Senate race". Washington Examiner. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  53. ↑ Deutch, Gabby (April 1, 2026). "Mike Rogers confronts changing GOP attitudes on Israel on the campaign trail". Jewish Insider. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  54. 1 2 AIPAC Wants to Back This Republican, but He Has Some Reservations, The New York Times, Aug. 24, 2026
  55. ↑ Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers said to ask AIPAC not to campaign on his behalf, Times of Israel, 22 August 2026
  56. ↑ "Bankrolled by pharmaceuticals, Mike Rogers helped block Medicare price negotiation". The Michigan Independent. August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  57. ↑ Schuster, Simon D. (April 2, 2026). "Senate hopeful Mike Rogers floats copays, high-risk pools for health care". Bridge Michigan.
  58. ↑ Dailey, Katherine (January 13, 2026). "Michigan Democrats attack Rogers' opposition to extending ACA tax credits • Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  59. ↑ Wisely, John (August 5, 2024). "Mike Rogers holds roundtable drawing transgender rights distinctions in U.S. Senate race". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  60. ↑ LaPlante, Brad (December 17, 2025). "Mike Rogers surrounds himself with election deniers ahead of 2026 election". WLNS. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  61. ↑ French, Ron (August 29, 2024). "Mike Rogers vows to fight drug war, but urged opioid access in Congress". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  62. 1 2 French, Ron (August 29, 2024). "Mike Rogers vows to fight drug war, but urged opioid access in Congress". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  63. ↑ Associated Press; Center for Public Integrity (September 19, 2016). "Pain Care Forum became 'echo chamber' for opiate distribution, epidemic in United States". The Oxford Eagle. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  64. ↑ Hans, Casey (January 2, 2009). "Rogers family makes service part of life". mlive. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  65. ↑ "Board of Directors". Atlantic Council. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  66. ↑ "Mike Rogers". Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  67. ↑ "Mike Rogers". Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. August 18, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  68. ↑ "Advisory Board". National Security Institute. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  69. ↑ "Mike Rogers Elected Chairman of the MITRE Board of Trustees". MITRE. November 16, 2021.
  70. ↑ Elrick, M. L. "Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers' neighborhoods have everything but Mr. Rogers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  71. ↑ Gibbons, Lauren (May 22, 2024). "Michigan elections FAQ: Yes, Mike Rogers moved back from Florida". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Rogers_(Michigan_politician)&oldid=1374302200"