For U.S. Senate candidates in Michigan, EVs are a major issue, both in terms of jobs and climate

Michigan’s U.S. Senate candidates are running on their records regarding labor and economic policy, but they are opposed on the role of electric vehicles.

Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s approach to labor policy focuses primarily on supporting domestic manufacturing. Her campaign page says she is focused on “creating jobs with dignity, bringing our supply chains back to America, and protecting the rights of workers.”

In Congress, Slotkin voted for the $2.2 trillion Build Back Better Act and supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aimed to create manufacturing jobs while supporting American infrastructure. She also supported the CHIPS and Science Act to manufacture microchips domestically.

Slotkin has received dozens of union endorsements, including the Utility Workers Union of America, the Building Trades Council, and the Michigan Education Association.

Slotkin has supported the Biden administration’s push for electric vehicles, arguing it is better to proactively create auto jobs and source EV materials in Michigan, rather than rely on China.

“There’s no denying that EVs will be a big part of the next generation of vehicles, and if you look at Europe and Mexico, you’ll see China already trying to dominate the future of autos. It’s vital to our economic and national security that it’s built in America instead,” Slotkin said in July. “Whether or not you drive an EV today, or ever care to, there’s no denying they will be a big part of the vehicles of tomorrow.”

Republican former Rep. Mike Roger’s approach to labor policy focuses primarily on encouraging innovation and reducing government regulation, particularly for small businesses.

As a state senator from 1994 to 2000, Rogers supported antitrust laws, emergency grants for veterans, and efforts to ease regulations on small businesses.

While serving as U.S. representative for Michigan’s 8th congressional district from 2001-2015, Rogers voted for the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which cut income taxes, and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which increased tax deductions for small businesses. He also supported measures to strengthen American energy independence.

Rogers has received the endorsements of the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, a group of small business owners and leaders, and the Associated Builders & Contractors of Michigan PAC, a statewide trade association representing construction industries.

Unlike his opponent, Rogers says the government-mandated push for electric vehicles will cause industrial harm, and that pushing Michigan’s auto industry to electric too quickly will only exacerbate the problem.

“Today, over 80% of global supplies for cells needed to produce the batteries that power electric vehicles are controlled, sourced or processed in China. This forced conversion to EVs doesn’t just take choices away from America; it makes use far too reliant on China. We must end the insanity and allow the market to dictate the auto industry,” Rogers said in July.

He also condemned Slotkin’s support of the controversial EV battery manufacturing plant under construction in Big Rapids, as the company, Gotion High-Tech, has strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The most recent polling shows Slotkin ahead of Rogers 47% to 41%.