Democrat Elissa Slotkin Wins Michigan Senate Race in Close Contest Against Mike Rogers

Democratic candidate Elissa Slotkin has won the Michigan Senate race, defeating Republican opponent Mike Rogers in a hard-fought election. With 99% of votes counted, Slotkin holds a narrow lead of less than 19,000 votes, leading the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ to call the race in her favor. Slotkin’s victory keeps the Michigan seat in Democratic hands, despite a dominant performance by President-Elect Donald Trump, who won the state by over 80,000 votes.

Slotkin addressed her supporters on Wednesday, cautiously expressing confidence in her lead but stopping short of a full victory claim. “As things stand right now, we are very confident that when all the votes are counted, we will be senator-elect for the state of Michigan,” she said. Meanwhile, Rogers conceded the race, offering congratulations to Slotkin and expressing pride in his campaign.

Rogers, a former congressman, said in a statement, “Congratulations to Congresswoman Slotkin on her victory, I wish her the best as she serves the people of Michigan in the Senate.” He thanked Michigan voters for their support and expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership would positively impact Michigan’s future.

Slotkin, who previously served one term in the U.S. House for Michigan’s 7th District, brings a background in national security to the Senate. She worked as a CIA analyst with three tours in Iraq and later held the role of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs under the Obama administration. Slotkin entered the race to fill the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, framing her campaign as a champion of social issues, particularly abortion rights.

The campaign spotlighted Michigan’s hot-button issues, with Rogers targeting Slotkin’s record and tying her to the Biden-Harris administration. Slotkin, however, pivoted much of her messaging toward reproductive rights, a topic she emphasized to mobilize her base. In an earlier fundraiser, Slotkin acknowledged the challenges her party faced, warning that internal polling showed Vice President Kamala Harris was “underwater” in Michigan—a prediction that proved accurate as Harris lost the state to Trump.

Republicans poured substantial funds into Michigan, hoping to flip a Senate seat that Democrats have controlled since 2001. Slotkin’s win here is a significant hold for the Democratic Party, but the GOP has reason to celebrate overall: despite Slotkin’s win, Republicans have gained control of the Senate, now holding at least 52 seats, with several races still pending. This shift signals potential roadblocks for President-Elect Trump’s Democratic opponents in the coming years as they navigate a Republican-led Senate.

This Michigan Senate race underscores the shifting political dynamics in battleground states, where local races increasingly hinge on national issues like immigration, the economy, and cultural debates. While Slotkin’s win in Michigan shores up Democratic representation in the state, the broader GOP gains in Congress suggest a new direction that could influence policy for years to come.

Share this article with friends or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on the latest election news and America’s future.