Unique – Republican Senator Tim Scott The South Carolina senator, who is under consideration as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, is considering a GOP Senate primary in a crucial battleground state.
Scott on Wednesday endorsed former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a front-runner in the August Republican primary to replace the longtime incumbent. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat who is not running for re-election this year.
The seat is one of a handful of seats Republicans are targeting to flip from blue to red in the fall election as they seek to regain the Senate majority they lost in the 2020 election.
“Mike Rogers’ commitment to service has always been about putting the American people first. When Mike and I worked together, he was a leader who delivered results and fought to expand opportunities for working families and those pursuing their American Dream,” Scott said in a statement. “I’m proud to support him as Michigan’s next U.S. senator because I know Mike will bring his servant leadership to the U.S. Senate.”
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump looks toward Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., during a Fox News Channel town hall in Greenville, S.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Scott’s endorsement of Rogers, which was first shared with Fox News, is his first formal endorsement in any case. Senate races Although he has helped other Republican candidates raise money, he has not been successful in this election cycle.
Rodgers, an Army veteran Rogers, a former FBI special agent before serving in Congress, has the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the campaign arm of the Senate GOP. And in March, Rogers received the endorsement of Trump, the party’s presumptive presidential nominee.
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“Senator Scott has been a tremendous advocate for conservative values in the U.S. Senate, and I am proud to have his support,” Rogers said in a statement. “In the Senate, we will work with President Trump to help Michigan families, lower the cost of gas and groceries, and secure the southern border.”
In recent months, Rogers has been endorsed by seven other Republican senators as well as Mike Pompeo, who served as secretary of state and CIA director in the Trump administration. He has also been backed by former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who endorsed Rogers after he ended his bid for the Republican Senate nomination earlier this year.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens to Michigan Senate candidate former Rep. Mike Rogers speak at a campaign rally in Freeland, Mich., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sansya) (AP Photo/Paul Sancia)
They are working to win the Senate election In Michigan For the first time in three decades, Republicans were hoping to avoid a potentially costly and explosive primary election.
But Rodgers doesn’t own the field.
The primary race also features wealthy businessmen and investors Sandy Penslar, Rogers is running for president for a second time and is spending big money to run ads targeting Rogers. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy endorsed Pensler.
Others running for the GOP nomination include former Rep. Justin Amash, who as an independent House member joined Democrats in voting to impeach then-President Trump in his first impeachment trial in 2019.
The state primary election in Michigan will be held on August 6.
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Scott, the only black Republican In the SenateHe unsuccessfully ran for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination but remains a very popular and influential figure in the party.
The senator, known for his ferocious fundraising for his 2022 Senate re-election, has strong ties to several prominent figures in the GOP donor class. The money raised two years ago served as a down payment for his 2024 national campaign.
In addition to raising money for himself, Scott has also been very active in helping fellow Republicans running for office.
In the 2022 cycle, the senator raised nearly $1 million for other candidates and donated more than $1 million to ballot races. And two outside groups aligned with Scott spent $13 million on top Senate and House races, while transferring $5 million to top super PACs supporting Senate Republicans.
A super PAC allied with Scott announced earlier this month that it would spend $14 million to help boost Republican support among Black voters.
