For US Senate, vote Slotkin

Editor’s note: The Michigan Daily Editorial Board has also provided endorsements for other races on the Ann Arbor ballot this November. You can find them all here.

The race between Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., to fill Michigan’s vacant U.S. Senate seat might seem like a race between relatively similar candidates fighting about relatively similar issues. Both have law enforcement and national security backgrounds: Slotkin worked as a Central Intelligence Agency analyst and Rogers chaired the House Intelligence Committee. Both campaigns are oriented around combating Chinese influence and securing the southern border. But only one of these candidates has campaigned on a return to normalcy and moderation from the excesses of both parties, while also championing policies beneficial to Michigan voters. That candidate is Elissa Slotkin, and this editorial board is proud to endorse her. 

Slotkin has the experience necessary to serve Michigan and the country. Her work in the CIA and the Bush and Obama administrations qualifies her to make meaningful contributions to committees and promote comprehensive legislation. Although she has voted with President Joe Biden 100% of the time, the Lugar Center and Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy measure Slotkin as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress. 

During her tenure in Congress, she supported landmark Biden administration investments in infrastructure and renewable energy — critical initiatives aimed at modernizing public transit, rebuilding roads and promoting clean energy jobs that directly benefit Michigan workers. She has advocated for increased border security measures that target trafficking networks without demonizing immigrants. This balanced approach highlights her ability to address complex issues pragmatically.

Perhaps most significant for many Michigan voters, Slotkin is the only candidate in this race who supports abortion access. She has consistently defended reproductive health care, arguing that the right to choice must be protected. In contrast, Rogers, having previously supported a ban on abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest, has shifted his position to inaction. He also used to oppose aspects of in vitro fertilization, raising concerns about how his changing positions align with voter priorities. 

And Rogers has engaged in a fundamentally dishonest campaign. In an oft-played commercial, Rogers alleges that Slotkin wants to ban gas powered vehicles, when in reality she voted against a bill that would have prohibited the Environmental Protection Agency from banning such vehicles. Slotkin has further expressed her support for gas vehicles in a recent campaign ad. 

Although Rogers positions himself as a moderate alternative to extreme Republicans, many of his views suggest otherwise. He has claimed that deporting undocumented immigrants will reduce crime, despite studies showing that undocumented immigrants are statistically less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. Rogers also emphasizes economic concerns, framing inflation and high prices as campaign cornerstones. However, inflation is at its lowest point in years, and economic indicators like employment metrics and consumer spending remain strong.

Perhaps more concerning — despite emphasizing his local roots during his campaign — Rogers was registered to vote in Florida until April of this year. His current Michigan residence in White Lake Township was purchased six months after Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s, D-Mich, congressional seat became available. Given that Rogers only seems to care about Michigan when there’s a Senate seat up for grabs, this editorial board considers him unlikely to serve his country over himself. 

Despite the apparent similarities between Slotkin and Rogers, only one candidate in this race has chosen to pave a middle ground distant from the extremes of both parties. Only one candidate has demonstrated a willingness to compromise with and accept the views of those with whom they disagree. Only one candidate supports investments in infrastructure and renewable energy, securing the border without demeaning immigrants and preserving access to reproductive healthcare. That candidate is Elissa Slotkin, and she is the only viable choice to serve Michigan in the U.S. Senate. 

This editorial represents the opinion of The Michigan Daily’s Editorial Board. If you are interested in submitting an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor, please send your submission to tothedaily@michigandaily.com.

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