BAGGAGE GETTING HEAVIER

Mike Rogers, the assumed GOP standard bearer in the November election, raised $1.96 million in the last quarter and has $3.45 million cash on hand. But former U.S. House member Rogers, a Livingston County native who now claims residency in White Lake of Oakland County, just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to his image. Part of his problem is that he was considered years ago to be more of a reasoned and traditional conservative who has transitioned into a Trump party suck-up in the hope his second run for the U.S. Senate from the Mitten State in 2026 will turn out better than when he ran against incumbent Senator Elissa Slotkin just two years ago. Some of his critics point to how he spent his time after 14 years in the House as he reportedly built up his fortune counseling companies that had ties to China and his work with Saudi Arabia interests pushing for more relaxed regulations on their nuclear ambitions. Self-inflicted damage, to be sure. But his unflinching backing of the current administration’s tariffs have not helped, especially in light of a state report from last November showing that Michigan exports have taken a major hit. Wheat exports are down 89 percent; cherries, down 62 percent; apples, down 58 percent ;and soybeans, down 46 percent. And don’t forget the nearly $11,000 increased expense to build a new home with rising material costs. Rogers dismissive response: “The shoe is going to pinch every once in a while.” Now we have his response to the Trump threat to not opening the Gordie Howe Bridge which has been under construction since 2018: “The right thing to do.” Even The Washington Post, in a February editorial opinion piece, noted the problems facing Rogers, among them, “Tariffs are about as popular as an Ohio State bumper sticker at an Ann Arbor tailgate. Made in America increasingly feels like Taxed in Michigan.”

Mike Rogers