Michigan GOP chairman raises concerns about Democrats stealing votes in 2024 election

Michigan Republican Chairman Pete Hoekstra said that he has concerns that the Democrats might "steal some votes" if there is a close Senate race. 

Hoekstra, a former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and ambassador to the Netherlands, made these remarks at a campaign fundraiser earlier this week in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It was first reported on by The Detroit News.  

“We haven’t elected a Republican senator since 1994, all right — think about it, 30 years,” he said at the event, according to The Hill, which obtained a copy of a recording that included Hoekstra's comments. “And the nice thing is, if the race is close, this is the guy that knows how to win close races. The first race he won for the U.S. House, I think it was the closest race in the country that year."

The Senate race is between Republican candidate Mike Rogers and Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.

“We don’t recommend that this cycle, because if it gets that close, we are afraid that they will steal some votes to make sure that he doesn’t win,” Hoekstra also said. “But hey, congratulations and thanks for all the work that you’re doing. It’s awesome.” 

Michigan Democrats slammed Hoekstra for his remarks. 

“Pete Hoekstra and Michigan Republicans are continuing to spread dangerous election conspiracy theories and undermine our democracy. It’s clear Republican leaders don’t believe Mike Rogers is capable of winning this race on his own, and instead they want to push lies at the expense of Michigan and our democracy,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said in a statement.