WASHINGTON — The Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin won Michigan’s razor-thin race for U.S. Senate, defeating former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in a war of attrition. Ultimately, Slotkin carried the state after there were not enough ballots left to allow Rogers to close her lead of about 18,000 votes when The Associated Press called the race Wednesday at 3:12 p.m.
The result was a reversal of fortune for Rogers, who jumped out to a significant early lead that lasted into the early hours of Wednesday. But populous Democratic strongholds, including Wayne County, home to Detroit, still had to count large quantities of ballots. And as Wednesday progressed, Slotkin improved her standing, winning many of the subsequent updates, as election officials continued to tabulate the vote and release new numbers.
Although the race is close, Rogers would need to collect more than 64 percent of the remaining votes to overtake Slotkin’s lead. His campaign has not said whether he will request a recount, which he is allowed to do under Michigan law.
Slotkin joined Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin to fill two “blue wall” Senate seats for Democrats in states Trump won.
CANDIDATES: Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers
WINNER: Slotkin
POLL CLOSING TIME: 8:00 PM & 9:00 PM ET.
ABOUT THE BREED:
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when Republicans were a dominant force in Michigan, controlling the governor’s office and both chambers of the legislature while holding the majority of the state’s congressional seats. But they have long struggled when it came to the U.S. Senate. This year was no exception, although it was close.
Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, has been a strong campaigner throughout her career in Congress. Rogers, meanwhile, was brought out of retirement in Florida to flee. The race determined who would replace longtime Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, whose decision to retire after five terms had turned what was once a safe seat into an opportunity for Republicans. The Republican Party regained a three-vote Senate majority, but a victory in Michigan would have helped boost their numbers.
Rogers, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, gave Michigan Republicans a chance to end their 24-year drought in U.S. Senate races. Although Rogers served Michigan in the House of Representatives for years, he retreated to the Miami area and was accused by Democrats of allowing his ties to Michigan to atrophy.
Michigan’s Republican Party is also in disarray, with a pro-Trump faction often feuding with the state’s moderate, pro-business establishment, which was once the party’s secret to success in the state. That success disappeared several years ago, however, when Democrats regained the governor’s office, the legislature and a majority of seats in Congress.
Rogers almost overcame that drama.
WHY AP CALLED THE RACE: Slotkin led by about 18,700 votes when AP called the race after determining there were not enough votes left to count that would allow Rogers to catch up. Rogers had been in charge before votes from Wayne, home to Detroit, and other major Democratic counties put Slotkin ahead. She joined Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin in holding two Blue Wall Senate seats for the Democrats.
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Read more about how and why the AP declares the winners of the US elections at Explanation of the 2024 elections, a series from The Associated Press designed to help understand American democracy. The AP receives support from several private foundations to improve its explanatory reporting on elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.