Republican · Michigan Senate · 2026
Mike Rogers
Rogers grew up the youngest of five boys, with a father who taught and coached and a mother who worked with the local chamber of commerce.
Biography
Mike Rogers grew up in Livingston County with a father who taught, coached and served as a vice principal, and a mother who led the local chamber of commerce.1 His wife, Kristi, worked for the Defense Department and Customs and Border Protection; his daughter served in AmeriCorps and his son became a Navy officer.1
After Howell High School and Adrian College, Rogers served as an Army lieutenant and then became an FBI agent investigating organized crime and public corruption in Chicago.1 He entered Michigan's Senate in 1995 and helped establish the state's 529 college savings program.21
Rogers represented Michigan in the House from 2001 to 2015, chairing its Intelligence Committee during his final four years.2 He authored the 2006 Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, restricting demonstrations around funerals at veterans' national cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery.13 After Congress, he worked in business and cybersecurity consulting.4
His housing plan would let families use 529 savings for home down payments, build credit through timely rent payments and create tax incentives for construction.5 He also supports penalties for excessive insurance claim denials and requirements for transparent medical prices.4 After losing to Elissa Slotkin in 2024, he now faces Abdul El-Sayed for the separate seat Gary Peters is leaving.4
Record and controversies
Corporate advisory work and limits of the surveillance allegation
Michigan Advance reported that Rogers served on a Telefónica security advisory board from 2018 to 2024 and that his available disclosures showed $94,241 in compensation.6 The company separately reported extensive interception of its Venezuelan customers' communications at the government's request.6 Rogers' campaign said his work focused on cybersecurity and threats from China and that he had not known of the Venezuelan activity; the outlet said his knowledge remained an open question.6 The advisory position alone does not establish personal participation in those interceptions.6
Unsupported Muslim Brotherhood claim
Bridge Michigan found no evidence supporting Rogers' claim that El-Sayed pledged support to the Muslim Brotherhood.7 Its review distinguished El-Sayed's commentary on Egyptian politics from an organizational tie or pledge of support.7 Rogers' spokeswoman said he condemns religious hate while defending broader concerns about his opponent's statements; El-Sayed described the attacks as divisive.7