US Republican lawmaker praises Trump intervention to block Iranian nuclear arms

DETROIT (AP) — Mike Rogers, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, is making an effort to draw support from Democrats and Trump voters in the state. The nomination race is closely watched as a key battleground in the ongoing fight for control of the Senate. Rogers, a former congressman, is targeting Michigan's Democratic electorate, particularly Black and Jewish voters, in his bid to defeat incumbent Democratic Senator Abdul El-Sayed in November.

Rogers recently held an event outside Cody High School in Detroit's west side, criticizing Michigan's low reading achievement. He framed the issue as a "civil rights issue of our lifetime." This approach puts him at odds with El-Sayed's more progressive stance, particularly on issues like U.S.-Israel relations.

Rogers must also rally Trump supporters to the polls, as the president is not on the ballot, but his presence could still influence turnout. Campaign finance chairman Bobby Schostak notes that this is a delicate balancing act for Rogers.

The Republican candidate is also targeting Democratic Jewish voters in Oakland County, Michigan's second-largest county. A prominent local Democrat, Brian Hermelin, has already pledged his support to Rogers after reaching out to campaign finance chairman Schostak. Some Jewish Democrats are drawn to Rogers due to El-Sayed's controversial comments following a March attack on Temple Israel, a major Jewish congregation in Michigan.

With Rogers losing his first Senate bid by just over 19,000 votes out of nearly 5.5 million cast, he sees an opportunity to improve his chances by winning over some Democrats and independents in racially and culturally diverse Wayne County. If he can pick up a few percentage points there, it could prove decisive in the November election.