Oct 21, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Senate GOP projects confidence in flipping Michigan seat

Stef W. Kight

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers greets supporters at his election watch party in 2024 — Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers greets supporters at his election watch party in 2024. Photo: Sarah Rice/Getty Images

The National Republican Senatorial Committee sees Michigan as a "starting point" for expanding Senate Majority Leader John Thune's majority next year, top officials told donors on a Tuesday call.

Why it matters: Democrats are dealing with a primary meltdown in Maine. Meanwhile, Republicans are gaining confidence that they can flip the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

Without a clear GOP challenger yet to take on vulnerable Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia, Michigan is quickly becoming Senate Republicans' best offensive shot in 2026.
"Anyone still perpetuating the lie that Mike Rogers can't win in 2026 because he didn't win in 2024 isn't in touch with the realities of the data," NRSC political director Brendan Jaspers told hundreds of donors.

Zoom in: Democrats are tied up in a messy primary in the state, which GOP party officials told donors gives Rogers a big advantage he didn't have last cycle when he ran and narrowly lost, according to one attendee.

NRSC, Senate Leadership Fund and Trump world quickly circled the wagons around Rogers this go-around.
On the call, party officials touted that Rogers is running ahead of the generic Republican in public and private polling and has more cash on hand than he did at this point in 2023.
NRSC external affairs director Brennen Britton also presented, as well as Rogers' campaign manager Tom Longpre and general consultant Katie Walsh-Shields.

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Scoop: Senate GOP projects confidence in flipping Michigan seat

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