It’s widely acknowledged that Michigan will play a significant role in the upcoming presidential election in November, with frequent visits from presidential and vice presidential candidates.

However, there’s another important election in Michigan: one of the state’s only open U.S. Senate seats is up for grabs, following the retirement of long-serving Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow. It’s been three decades since a Republican has won a Senate race in Michigan.

Former Congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican, is competing against Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat. This race stands out as one of the most competitive Senate contests nationwide, as Republicans aim to reclaim control of the Senate.

The Cook Political Report identifies Michigan’s Senate race as one of just three toss-ups in this election cycle.

Additionally, this election is anticipated to be highly costly, with millions of dollars expected to be spent on campaigning.

Rogers has served seven terms in Congress, rising to the position of chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. He is a former FBI agent and has also gained experience in the private sector after leaving Congress in 2015.

Now, he is prepared to re-enter the political arena.

I recently had a conversation with Rogers regarding his campaign and the major issues he believes Michigan and the nation are facing. The following is a condensed and clarified version of our discussion.

Your race is among the most closely watched in the nation and is deemed a toss-up. How do you view the situation?

Overall, I feel positive. This election primarily centers around the economy.

I recently spoke with a mother of four who shared her difficulties. She broke down in tears, explaining that she has had to rely on a food pantry during the last four days of the month to feed her children. This was an experience she had never encountered before. Both she and her husband work, yet their incomes are no longer sufficient to keep up with rising prices. They haven’t seen a pay raise in a long time, and many are struggling just to make their car payments.

People are ready for a shift, which is why I believe Michigan’s race is so competitive this year. They are responding positively to my approach of offering genuine solutions to their concerns.

Many Americans express worry about the economy, inflation, illegal immigration, and crime. Is this consistent with what you’re observing in Michigan?

Absolutely. The issues of border security and illegal immigration are significant here, primarily for two reasons: the crime associated with it and the cost implications.

Let’s first discuss crime. In southeast Michigan, we’ve encountered an organized crime group from Chile that crossed the border illegally. These groups of illegal immigrants are running a sophisticated burglary operation.

These criminals are efficient and highly organized, and their proceeds benefit drug cartel leaders. This is a significant problem; last year, we lost 3,000 residents to fentanyl overdoses. The danger is immense, even with small doses. We’ve seen tragic incidents such as the murder of Ruby Garcia, an unfortunate victim at the hands of an illegal immigrant, and several cases of sexual assault involving minors by illegal immigrants. This situation continues to escalate. People are aware that these events could be prevented if we prioritized securing the border and managing immigration legally.

As for the costs associated with these immigration issues, estimates indicate it cost around $450 billion last year to provide services like housing, healthcare, phones, and debit cards for illegal immigrants. This expenditure could cover the salaries of every state trooper and teacher in Michigan for 15 years.

Given the rising grocery prices, which have surged by 25% in recent years, you’ve emphasized this in your campaign. We’ve heard about Kamala Harris mentioning price controls. What solutions do you propose that could lead to savings for families?

Let’s address price controls first. There are numerous historical examples demonstrating that price controls lead to widespread poverty, with Venezuela serving as a prime illustration. Today, they face severe food shortages.

Price controls have consistently failed. Implementing them poses a risk to the U.S. economy.

The points I am emphasizing on the campaign trail relate to the excessive spending authorized by Democrats when they held power, leading to multiple trillion-dollar bills. Remember, when too much money floods into the economy with insufficient goods and services, it results in rising prices. Consequently, your groceries and gas become more expensive.

It is crucial for us to halt the extravagant and reckless spending by the government. We simply can’t afford it, and this poses a threat to our economic future.

My stance is that we should fully utilize American energy. It doesn’t make sense to send our money to countries that are not friendly toward us. We need to reduce our reliance on foreign nations to avoid unnecessary entanglements.

Additionally, for the first time in our nation’s history, we are importing more food than we are exporting. As someone who values national security, I find it alarming that we cannot feed ourselves. This is a significant issue. Conversations with farmers reveal that the numerous regulations coming from Washington, D.C. hinder their ability to compete. We plan to put an end to those regulations.

China has emerged as a significant issue in this election. A Chinese-backed firm intends to establish a plant and create over 2,000 jobs in Michigan. What concerns do you have about the Gotion EV battery parts manufacturer in Michigan?

We discovered incorporation documents that indicate a connection to the Communist Party of China. Bringing a Chinese business to Michigan, along with Chinese engineers, raises concerns, especially in the beautiful agricultural areas of northern Michigan where local residents are not particularly happy about this development.

They received $175 million of Michigan taxpayers’ money to set up in the state. Why is that necessary? This situation frustrates many because the government is mandating electric cars, instructing car manufacturers on what to produce, and now is willing to pay a Chinese company to come and manufacture batteries here.

This situation presents multiple issues, including threats to national and economic security. If the Democrats proceed with these EV regulations, it could be disastrous for a state like Michigan. I don’t think they are considering the consequences thoroughly.

You recently made a commitment to support women’s sports alongside Riley Gaines and former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Why is this issue significant to you?

My wife has always been an athlete, and my daughter participated in sports during her upbringing. At the core, this is about fairness. It’s not primarily about the LGBTQ community or ongoing cultural debates. Title IX was established to ensure women received the same opportunities as men in sports. Athletics teaches essential values like teamwork, leadership, and handling victories and defeats. Now, women have to compete against biological males, which doesn’t seem fair to me.

Does Kamala Harris being the Democratic presidential nominee affect your perspective?

It does appear to increase excitement in specific communities across the state. There seems to be more enthusiasm regarding her candidacy, but supporters of Donald Trump remain equally passionate, as they remember their lives were better four years ago.

As Donald Trump and JD Vance prepare to campaign heavily in Michigan leading up to November, will this benefit you?

I believe it will. It keeps the enthusiasm high among supporters, underscoring the importance of Michigan and the necessity to vote. Overall, it’s a positive development.