U.S. SENATE GOP FIELD
The list of possible candidates for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan seems to grow on a daily basis since Senator Gary Peters (D) announced weeks ago that he would not seek another term in 2026. At last count the speculation about possible contenders incudes about a dozen hopefuls who could throw their hat in the ring to be sorted out in an August 2026 primary for both political parties. On the Republican side, we find the name of west Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga, whose Trump bona fides include being party to a federal lawsuit challenging the results of the 2020 election; Michigan state Senator Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater); Macomb-Oakland Congressman John James; and former US House member Mike Rogers who lost by less than one percentage point to Senator Elissa Slotkin in 2024 for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Democrat Debbie Stabenow. A top Republican said, “He’s running. He already has the name ID. He’ll need to raise the money – and he will.” While no formal committees have been formed, so personal fundraising has yet to start, Huizenga sits with $1 million cash on hand, but Rogers has nearly twice that amount ($1.922 million) for a race that will draw considerable outside donations that could push overall spending into the range of $150-$200 million. Rogers in recent polling has a marginal lead over likely Democrat candidates.
