GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers defends his position on abortion
Mike Rogers, the GOP Senate candidate in Michigan, vowed Thursday to abide by the will of the people in the state if elected, as his Democratic rival Rep. Elissa Slotkin frames him as a “staunch opponent” of reproductive rights.
Asked at an event with Black pastors and community leaders in Detroit about an ad that Slotkin’s campaign is running that highlights Rogers’ previous support, when he was a congressman, for an abortion ban without exceptions for rape and incest, the Michigan Republican said he has “always been for exceptions” in cases of rape, incest and threats to the life of the mother.
“I won’t go back to Washington and undo what the people of Michigan have put in their constitution. I don’t think that’s right. I’m a law-and-order guy. I thought the decision should be made here. It was made here, and I’ll abide by that decision in Washington. But I’ll bet, you can bet your bottom dollar we’re going to find other ways for women to have a choice in what decision they want to make,” Rogers said.
Slotkin has launched a multimillion-dollar TV and digital advertising campaign highlighting Rogers’ voting record on abortion legislation and featuring Michigan voters who say they’re worried about his positions.
The majority of Michigan voters supported a ballot measure in 2022 to amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to an abortion. Democrats in the state warn voters that if Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers regain power in Washington, they could still enact a national abortion ban.
“What I have said in this case is that I did believe that the states should decide this issue. I think it’s really important. Because this is where your faith is, this is where your pastor is. This is where your family is, this is where your partner is, this is where your doctor is,” Rogers explained, adding that the “people have found consensus” on the issue in Michigan.
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